Briefography
Briefography of R. Clayton Brough
R. Clayton Brough is a geographer and genealogist and retired broadcast climatologist and educator. His experience and expertise includes geography and history, earth and physical sciences, journalism and broadcasting, and genealogy and theology.
Television Weathercaster:
Brough worked for KTVX-TV Channel 4 (ABC) television in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1980 to 2008, first as their chief weather forecaster and climatologist from 1980 to 1985, and then as their weekend weather forecaster from 1986 to 2008--which allowed him to concentrate more on his full-time teaching responsibilities and to be with his wife and children.
Brough began his weather career at age 28, while a full-time public school teacher. During 1978 and 1979 he worked at KUTV-TV Channel 2. In 1980 he moved to KTVX-TV Channel 4. In 1975, Brough graduated with a Masters of Science degree in geography from Brigham Young University, and then undertook post-graduate work in climatology (1978-1989). In 1985 he was awarded the American Meteorological Society "AMS Seal of Approval" for television weather broadcasting.
Contributions to Science:
As a television weather forecaster and climatologist, Brough was known for his long-range forecasts, seasonal and yearly outlooks, and climatic probabilities of different types of weather events that affected Utah. From 1979 to 2008, he extensively researched Utah's atmospheric phenomena, and authored or co-authored a number of publications on Utah's weather and climate, including the books Utah's Comprehensive Weather Almanac (1987), and Utah's Weather and Climate (1996).
Contributions to Education:
During 1975-1978 and 1984-1985, Brough taught science at Springville Junior High School in Springville, Utah. During 1986-2012, he taught science, geography and journalism at Eisenhower Junior High School in Taylorsville, Utah. His enthusiasm for teaching and his ability to motivate students was well known due to his leadership and encouragement of after-school student world record attempts. During 1989-2011, Brough taught geography courses at Brigham Young University Salt Lake Center in Salt Lake City, Utah; and during 2005-2011 he taught geography courses at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and its extension campus in Murray, Utah. Brough's contributions and service to public education was recognized in 2004 when he received a "Honored Alumni Award" from the BYU David O. McKay School of Education, in 2008 when he received a "Outstanding Community Service Award" from Taylorsville City, and in 2019 when he received a "Alumni Achievement Award" from the BYU College of Family, Home and Social Sciences.
Contributions to Family History:
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon), Brough authored or co-authored seven books between 1975 and 1993 on theological subjects--two of which are still in print. In 1975 he began studying and researching his own family history, and eventually served four different times (1977-1978, 1983-1984, 1986-1998 and 2004-2010) as president of the Brough Family Organization. Since the late 1970's, Brough and his wife have served as volunteer genealogists for several family organizations, and since 1980, he has authored or co-authored a number of family history publications. Between 2004 and 2016, several of his family history articles were published in the LDS Church News; in 2008, he participated in the International Brough Reunion in Meerbrook, England; and in 2009, he produced an online video documentary, entitled "A Thousand Years of Family History."
Health Issues:
Because of his long-time television career, Brough's health issues were occasionally widely publicized in Utah's media. In 2004 he was diagnosed with cancer (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma), underwent chemotherapy and lost his hair, but then returned to his regular television and teaching responsibilities. In 2007, he underwent a televised operation (PFO implant) to repair a hole in his heart. In April 2015, he served as a volunteer spokesman for six televised KBYU Up to Date presentations on cancer prevention and research in Utah.
Family:
Robert Clayton Brough was born on May 29, 1950 in Los Angeles, California. During his youth, he was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America, earning his Eagle rank in 1965 and participating in national scouting events. In 1969-1971, he served a mission to the Eastern States Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the northeastern part of the United States. In 1971 he moved to Provo, Utah, to attend Brigham Young University. In 1973 he married Ethel Mickelson and they subsequently had four children. The birth of their third child made news headlines when he was born in an ambulance that stalled on the way to the hospital. Today the Brough family includes Clayton and Ethel, their four children and their spouses, and seventeen grandchildren.
Retirement:
In 2008, Brough decided to retire from television broadcasting to spend more time with his wife and family. His last television weathercast at KTVX-TV took place on November 23, 2008. In 2011, Brough decided to retire from teaching to concentrate more fully on family history opportunities. His last day as a public school teacher was on June 1, 2012. Today he voluntarily serves as a Genealogist for the Brough Family Organization and Secretary of the LDS Ancestral Families Association.
