Vernon “Vern” Francis Dvorak

Vernon “Vern” Francis Dvorak

Iowa City

Vernon “Vern” Francis Dvorak, of Ojai, Calif., died Sept. 19, 2022, at age 93. He was born on Nov. 15, 1928 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Joseph and Mary Sonka Dvorak. He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, JoAnne Schafroth Dvorak; two children, Eric Dvorak and Holly Dunne; three siblings, Robert “Bob” Dvorak of Las Vegas Nev., William “Bill” Dvorak of Oakland Calif., and Pat Sundholm of Bettendorf, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Joe Dvorak. He will be missed by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Vern first studied meteorology in the Air Force while stationed in Europe. He graduated from the University of Iowa and later recovered from a car accident which left him partially paralyzed. After completing a Master’s degree at UCLA, Vern became a hurricane specialist at NOAA where he developed the use of satellite imagery as a hurricane forecasting technique. The Dvorak technique continues to be used worldwide. He chose to retire in Ojai, where he filled his time with bike rides, philosophy, and writing.