Peter Dodge’s Memory Honored With One Final Flight

Hurricane scientist Peter Dodge was granted a final flight through Hurricane Milton on October 8. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration honored Dodge’s more than 40 years of service by spreading his ashes through the massive storm’s eye.

Dodge worked as a radar scientist and hurricane hunter for NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) in Miami, Florida. During this time, he took dozens of hurricane observation flights and performed 386 eye penetrations, or “pennies.” This was a part of his primary research focus: the behavior of rain cells in a hurricane. Less than a month before his untimely death, Dodge celebrated 44 years of federal service.

Before beginning his career as a meteorologist, Peter volunteered with Nepal’s Peace Corps to teach math and science to high school students.

Dodge received a Department of Commerce Bronze Medal, two NOAA Administrator Awards, and the Army Corp of Engineers Patriotic Civilian Service Award. Additionally, he was awarded a Department of Commerce Gold Medal for his research during the 1998 hurricane season.

Towards the end of his service, Dodge began developing vision issues and was unable to take hurricane flights. Then, in March 2023, Dodge suffered a stroke. He passed at 72 years old. 

“Peter truly had an unyielding passion for participating in field activities, including flying, and an insatiable curiosity for research,” expressed Shirley Murillo, deputy director of the Hurricane Research Division at NOAA AOML. “By releasing his ashes into Hurricane Milton, we sought to honor his memory and his spirit of teamwork, adventure and curiosity.”

Hurricane hunters took Dodge up for his final “penny” on October 8. His ashes were wrapped up in Florida’s state flag and marked with his flight suit name tag, a hurricane penetration patch, and a picture of Nepal’s flag in memory of his Peace Corps service.

The idea of this last victory lap has been in the works since Dodge’s death.

“They honored him because he always wanted to go back up in the plane,” stated Shelley Dodge, the scientist’s sister.

FMI: www.aoml.noaa.gov