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DAVE KNAUS, N9QA, SKby Richard Regent, K9GDF From West Allis Radio Amateurs Club - Hamtrix
N. Hale Blakely, W9CBE, SK  Norman H. “Hale” Blakely, W9CBE, of McFarland, Wisconsin, passed away on October 13, 2004, at Merriter Hospital from a heart attack, just two weeks short of being 85 years old. He was the son of Norman and Loran (Garbled) Blakely, born on October 27, 1919. He was a proud graduate from Central High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Just a few years later, in 1940, Hale first became a licensed amateur radio operator with the call W8TYE. Hale happily married Betty Mae Heath on April 15, 1954, in Dubuque, Iowa. He is survived by his wife, Betty Mae (Heath) Blakely of McFarland; six children: Betty Jane Blakely of Ogden, Utah; Rose Marie Brown of Ogden, Utah; Linda (Bruce) Arendsee of McFarland; Elaine Blakely of League City, Texas; Charles Blakely of Madison; and Art (Sandy) Blakely of Platteville; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Hazel Bos; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Hale was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Clair, Herbert and Harold Blakely; daughter-in-law, Vicki Blakely; and brother-in-law, Henry Bos. In 1999 Hale had a heart attack and pneumonia, yet recovered his health and strength to continue helping others and continue his activity in hamming. Although Hale was short, he seemed tall because of his pleasant, kind and polite personality. Between the years 1956 and 1960, W9CBE and I relayed lots of CW traffic together, especially my periodic birthday and anniversary greetings. We both laughed when I would send a radiogram to one of my relatives named Xavier Zepke. Those names never slowed Hale, his CW receiving and sending was flawless. Thirty years later when I returned to trafficking, W9CBE was still there and just as active. He not only remembered my name and welcomed me back, but also reintroduced me to newcomers on the nets. In fact, we still chuckled about the Zepke’s. Extra class W9CBE has many friends through his membership with the American Radio Relay League. As Wisconsin Assistant Section Manager he assisted and would fill in for Section Manager, Don Michalski, W9IXG. As an Official Relay Station relaying messages, he would volunteer as a weekly Net Control Station for Wisconsin Intrastate Nets on CW; the early and late sessions, both daytime and nighttime, of the Ninth Region Nets; as well as a representative to the Central Area Net some days and nights. W9CBE often served as a substitute NCS or liaison when others could not make their appointments, no wonder he achieved the Brass Pounder League monthly award many times. “Hale will be impossible to replace in terms of the nets and traffic handling in Wisconsin as well as in his kind and gentlemanly approach to everything,” says Wisconsin Section Traffic Manager, Dennis Rybicke, K9LGU. W9CBE was active in many facets of ham radio and was consistently awarded the Public Service Honor Roll. Active in contests, DX and packet radio, W9CBE accomplished the feat of confirming contacts with all 72 Wisconsin counties, was awarded the first Worked All Wisconsin Counties award issued in 1999 by the West Allis Radio Amateur Club, and then received a congratulatory letter from Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson. W9CBE was a member of Quarter Century Wireless Association and QCWA Wisconsin Chapter 55, attended Wisconsin Nets Association activities and various radio clubs. In Wisconsin, if you heard the word Hale or McFarland on-the-air, you knew it must be W9CBE. One QSL card W9CBE sent to me is on a colorful postcard, showing an old man sitting in a lawn chair at the end of a pier fishing on a calm and sunny day. It says, “Greetings from McFarland, Wisconsin.” With a ball point pen Hale carefully rewrote the photo caption, “I never saw a man who could fish operate ham radio and worry at the same time.” W9CBE operated ham radio so much and so well he certainly did not have time to worry. Hale was a knowledgeable stamp collector, specializing in French stamps. He would trade stamps with me, his duplicate stamps from France for my extra commemorative U.S. stamps, exchanging envelopes full of stamps by mail with each other. A memorial service was held at the Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 North Sherman Avenue, Madison, on October 18, 2004. The minister referred to Hale’s Amateur Radio hobby as being the center piece of his life. Hale’s relatives sincerely say, “Thanks to all his Ham Radio buddies. We'll miss you and love you forever W9CBE's license doesn't expire for over a year, plenty of time for Hale to design and test some new antennas up there. But I guess he won't need a license. Thanks for sharing your kindness and friendship with us over the years. Best Regards, Hale, W9CBE. Robert E. Baird, W9NN, SK Simon Vincent Chaplan, W9CIB Simon Vincent Chaplan, age 92, formerly of Elmhurst, Illinois, passed
away on Thursday, June 27, 2002 at Divine Savior Hospital in Portage, Wisconsin. Mr. Chaplan had been hamming for 7 decades and operated exclusively cw in recent years. Simon shared his fondness for ham radio continuing to teach the curious about amateur radio even when
he was infirm.
Simon was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 29, 1910 to John and Julia (Hacke) Chaplinski. He married Margaret Anna Waldele on July 12 1941. Simon obtained a Ham radio operator's license with the call letters W9CIB, receiving his original radio license on August 23, 1932 and operating actively until his death. During World II he served his country as a Chief Petty Officer in charge of the radio school at the Naval Air Technical Training Station in Jacksonville Florida and earning his discharge at the Greensward Naval Air Technical Training Center in Millington, Tennessee. In 1947, Margaret and Simon moved into the house they designed and built in Elmhurst Illinois.
Simon was a draftsman in the Chicago Land area for American Flyer Toy Trains, Automatic Electric and Craft Patterns. He was a cabinetmaker, crafting most of the furniture and cabinetry in his home for his family and completing many projects for neighbors and friends. Later in life, as the only remaining member of the American Flyer Toy Train staff he became an honorary member of the Toy Train Operating Society, offering much valuable information as an expert on the operations and production of the American Flyer Toy Train Company. He was a member of the Elmhurst Radio Club, the Quarter Century Wireless Association, the American Radio Relay League, the VFW and the American Legion. He was also very active in the Washington and Jefferson School PTA groups, using his knowledge of radio and his equipment to provide audio support for all their school programs.
Survivors include his daughters, Margaret Ann Chaplan and husband, Steve Lyons, Champaign, Illinois, Dorothy (William) Schleichert Poynette, Wisconsin; his grandchildren. Donald (Amy) Vita of Sheridan, Indiana, Holly Schleichert of Portage. Wisconsin, and Perry (Lorrie) Schleichert of Baraboo Wisconsin; his great-grandchildren, Allison, Rebecca and Jacob Vital Ronald and Chelsea Knowles, and Arriana and Nathaniel Schleichert; his sister, Virginia Monahan, Arizona; a sister-in-law, Gertrude (Joseph) Passalaqua of Libertyville, Illinois; several nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. Simon was preceded in death by his parents, John and Julia, his wife, Margaret, on March 9, 2002, two brothers and one sister.
Memorials may be made to Bridging Generations at Columbia Health Care Center at 323 West Monroe Street. Wyocena, Wisconsin 53969.
Jim Romelfanger, K9ZZ Smoke Signals Editor Jim Romelfanger, K9ZZ, became a silent key on Saturday, December 22, 2001, according to his long time friend and Smoke Signals Publisher, Ken Ebneter, K9EN. He suffered an apparent heart attack at his home. Jim was 60 years old.
Preliminary funeral information is as follows: visitation Thursday December 27, 2001 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Rago Funeral home, 520 East Street, Baraboo, WI (corner of East and Fourth Streets). Funeral services Friday, December 27, 2001 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Baraboo.
Jim was a gentle soul whose comittment to the Amateur Radio community was greater than that of anyone I have ever known. He will genuinely be missed by many. - N9QA
Following is from the Baraboo News Republic.
Arthur "Jim" Romelfanger
Baraboo - Arthur James Louis "Jim" Romelfanger died at his home of a heart attack on December 22, 2001 at the age of 60. A lifelong resident of Baraboo, Wisconsin, Jim was born on December 6, 1941, the son of Louis and Ethel (Judevine) Romelfanger.
He is survived by his sister Mary Romelfanger of Louisville, Kentucky; his aunt, Florence Romelfanger of Baraboo; his cousins Barbara McMahon Vetter of Madison, John McMahon of Racine, Marilyn Alberts of Delavan; and many dear friends.
Jim was licensed as an Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) Operator since 1958. He was licensed as KN6LWB, K9PKQ and currently held the call of K9ZZ. He was a charter member of the Yellow Thunder Amateur Radio Club, Baraboo. He was a life member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national organization of Amateur Radio Operators and the editor of Badger State Smoke Signals, an all-volunteer newspaper for hams in and around Wisconsin. He was nationally recognized and published in many area and national publications including Popular Electronics, CQ, QST and others. He was active in many areas of local, statewide and national activities, including providing telecommunications aboard the Annual Circus World Museum Circus Train as it traveled from Baraboo to Milwaukee each summer.
A longtime member of the Sauk County Chapter of the Wisconsin Right to Life Association, Jim served as editor/writer of that organization's monthly newsletter.
An accomplished photographer, many of Jim's photos of his beloved Wisconsin were published in both the Baraboo News Republic and the Wisconsin State Journal. He also worked as a "stringer" for the State Journal for several years, sharing news of the Baraboo, Sauk County area. He enjoyed a career in radio, working as a disc jockey at radio stations in North Platte, Nebraska, Sauk City and Baraboo. In his later years he appeared in a television ad campaign for HIS jeans, and acted as an extra in the Julia Roberts, Nick Nolte film "I Love Trouble."
Of the many treasures and gifts of Jim's life, the most treasured was that of friendship. The family thanks the many dear friends who will miss him too, for sustaining and cherishing Jim in life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Friday, December 28, 2001, at 12:00 p.m. (noon). Interment will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery in North Freedom.
Visitation will be held at the Rago Funeral Home in Baraboo from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 27 and also at church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services on Friday.
Memorial gifts can be made in his name to his favorite charity, St. Vincent DePaul Society, or the American Heart Association, the Wisconsin State Historical Society, the Right to Life Association or Mass offerings.
Stu Gurske, K9EYY J. S. Stu Gurske, K9EYY, of Lodi, passed away on Friday, March 9, 2001 at age 75. Stu had been licensed for 46 years and had been a member of Air Force MARS. He was best known for his long-time interest in weather satellite reception. He authored many articles for various magazines and designed and produced an extensive line of products for use in satellite reception which were sold through his company Swagur Enterprises. He also operated a 2 meter FM repeater from his hilltop QTH. Stu was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Navy aboard the USS Ticonderoga aircraft carrier in the Pacific. After the war, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He worked as an insurance examiner for the State of Wisconsin and then worked at Cuna Mutual Insurance Society for 27 years, retiring as Director of Research and Development. Stu is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Lois (WB9YXU), and several nieces and nephews. No services were held. Memorials are suggested to the Lodi Band, c/o Bob Weber, Weber's Bakery, 161 South Main St., Lodi, WI 53555. Lew ''Mac'' McCoy, W1ICP Amateur Radio legend and former ARRL Headquarters staff member Lew
''Mac'' McCoy, W1ICP, of Mesa, Arizona, died July 31, 2000 following a
lengthy illness. He was 84.
As a member of the ARRL Headquarters staff from 1949 until 1978,
McCoy gained a national and international reputation primarily for
his articles in QST and his early work to combat TV interference.
''He became a hero of all the Novices and beginners because his stuff
was so down to earth and easy to read,'' said retired ARRL
Communications Manager George Hart, W1NJM, a good friend.
ARRL Executive Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ, described McCoy as
''one of a kind'' and ''versatile.'' Sumner said McCoy ''left his mark on
future generations of amateurs as QST's 'Beginner and Novice'
editor.'' When FM repeaters came along, Sumner said, McCoy made it
his mission to educate his ARRL colleagues about their potential.
An ARRL Life Member, McCoy was first licensed as W9FHZ and later
became W0ICP. He arrived at ARRL Headquarters in 1949 to fill the
job of assistant communications manager for phone. He went on to
work in the Technical Department where he was able to take advantage
of his ability to explain technical concepts in simple terms.
McCoy earned a reputation as a tireless traveler and goodwill
ambassador for Amateur Radio. He first started hitting the road in
the early 1950s after TVI had become troublesome for amateurs and
soon became the League's TVI expert. McCoy toured the country
demonstrating TVI cures for hams and TV service personnel alike.
ARRL Lab Supervisor Ed Hare, W1RFI, credited McCoy with providing
the foundation for the ARRL's current RFI expertise in helping hams
to deal with interference to consumer equipment and interference to
hams from other sources. McCoy also was well-known for one of his
projects, ''The Ultimate Transmatch,'' an antenna tuner he described
in a July 1970 QST article.
After leaving the ARRL Headquarters staff, McCoy continued as a QST
contributing editor. He subsequently was a major contributor to
other Amateur Radio publications, including CQ.
During his active years on the air, McCoy was an avid DXer with more
than 300 countries confirmed. More recently, he was active in the
Quarter Century Wireless Association, had served as QCWA president
and a board member and had just been elected again to the QCWA's
Board of Directors, something his daughters never got to tell him
before he died.
McCoy's first wife, Martha, died in 1998. Survivors include his
wife, Clara Gibbs McCoy, and his daughters, Marsha Ashurst, W1HAQ,
and Sharon Armann, ex-WN1GQR, as well as grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
In accordance with McCoy's wishes, there will be no funeral. The
family is planning a memorial service for McCoy in early December.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations in
Lew McCoy's name to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E Flower St,
Phoenix, AZ 85014-5656. Condolences may be sent to the family care
of Marsha Ashurst, PO Box 2260, Lakeside, AZ 85929.
Editor's Note: McCoy, during his tenure at ARRL, gave talks about the "Ultimate
Transmatch" before many Amateur Radio clubs, including several in
Wisconsin. - K9ZZ
SKYWARN Pioneer Sherman C. Carr, W9NGT The man credited with being the father of SKYWARN--Sherman Carr, W9NGT, of Hartford, Wisconsin--died March 15, 2000. He was 83. Carr was an ARRL member for nearly 40 years. Begun more than 30 years ago, SKYWARN is a cooperative effort through which real-time weather information is relayed via Amateur Radio to NWS offices during severe weather conditions. Carr was Wisconsin Section Emergency Coordinator in the late 1960s when he established the first Amateur Radio weather-spotting network, the Weather Amateur Radio Network--WARN-with assistance from Dave Theophilus, W9KWQ, a NWS meteorologist in Milwaukee. In those largely pre-repeater days, the network operated on 75 meters. Carr's idea
worked so well that other states adopted its basic structure, which eventually was implemented as SKYWARN. Last June, the National Weather Service honored Carr for his role in helping to create the SKYWARN program by presenting him with its Central Region Special Service Award. Wisconsin's current SEC Stan Kaplan, WB9RQR, called Carr "as much a pioneer as the first astronaut." "Carr leaves a legacy of creativity, incredible dedication and innovation in emergency communications, in technical excellence, and thousands of friends who will remember his chuckle and his grin," said Wisconsin ARRL Public Information
Officer Jim Romelfanger, K9ZZ. Survivors include his wife, Marianne, and sons Mike and Sheldon. --Jim Romelfanger, K9ZZ, in (If you are a first-time visitor to this site, or if you haven't read the journal of Sherm's journey with his son Mike on board the USCG Cutter "Glacier", please click the story at the very top on the yellow menu bar at left. Sherm put his feelings, and thus himself, in words very well.) Roy Hawkins, WA9KEC Roy Hawkins, WA9KEC, became a silent key on February 29, 2000, at the age of 56. Roy was a Life Member of the West Allis Radio Amateur Club and was active in many capacities for 35 years. Roy served as President in 1975, as Hamtrix editor from 1987-88 and as our first Swapfest Chairman. Most importantly, he was always there when we needed him, always offering solutions to problems.
Roy was the driving force behind the early years our Midwinter Swapfest. A small group of members gathered in Roy's living room in 1971 to explore the possibility of the club sponsoring a swapfest to raise money. They left that meeting having committed their own money to put on the first WARAC Midwinter Swapfest. Through Roy's efforts as Chairman, the swapfest grew rapidly in size and popularity. The Swapfest has made it possible for WARAC to be in the position of being able to give many thousands of dollars in scholarships over the years. Roy helped make many a Field Day a memorable one, especially the year of the infamous toppling tower. He was always eager to try something new each year to see if we could improve the operation and have more fun. The Field Day crew always ate and drank well when Roy was in charge.
To the Amateur Radio community in general, Roy was well known for providing packet nodes and a bulletin board station from his hilltop location in Waukesha County. He became interested in packet radio in its early days and became knowledgeable in each new development in that field. His packet station was a key hub in the message forwarding network in Wisconsin for many years.
I will remember Roy as a great friend with whom I built my first computer, my first packet station and a UHF repeater. There was always something to experience and learn when hanging around with Roy. He will be missed by many. Roy is survived by his wife Kitty and his daughter Margaret. His ashes will be scattered from a hot air balloon, another of his many passions. His family has asked that memorials for Roy go to the WARAC Scholarship Fund or the American Cancer Society. - Dave Knaus, N9QA (ex WA9POV) |