Silent Key
AC7CC
Curtis Suckow, AC7CC, was a net regular a couple of years ago when we were known as MARA Northwest and he acted as Net Control Station a few times. He passed away Jan 30, 2010 at the age of 73.WA7QNE
Dick Nielson, WA7QNE, passed away Oct 19, 2009 at Mason General Hospi-tal. Dick was a pioneer in the early days of MARA in the North-west. He was also a Ward Emer-gency Communications Spe-cialist at the time of his passing. He had been in and out of the hospital several times in the past years, but his was very active up until the last few weeks.N7BCY
Mel Martin, N7BCY, passed away at his home on Thursday February 5th, 2009. On word of this news, a spontaneous outpouring of appreciation and respect was expressed by many of his friends in Mercury Northwest.
- "I am certainly going to miss Mel. He was really putting his heart, soul, and might into MNW; and he leaves a big hole in the organization."
- "We last spoke today about the regional communications project some of you are working on. He loved the service that amateur radio allowed him to give to the very end."
- "I met Mel once at the Kent Bishop's Storehouse and have talked to him many times on the air before and after that meeting. He was a great organizer. One of the best things that could be said about an organizer is that he 'paid attention to details'."
- "I have known him since the early 80s and shared a lot of meetings with him. A great guy and good friend. His family is in our prayers."
- "It is still hard to believe that he is gone but I know he would want us to continue with our testing efforts. Mel knew how important emergency communications were and that we were lacking for a reliable 24/7 regional system. Several of us joined with Mel last Fall, working on ideas and equipment that would make for a better communication plan. We have been exploring 2 and 6 meter ssb and digital simplex signal paths with high hopes that we can link major cities and church buildings within the MNW region. Mel made it very clear that as a test group we were to do our best to establish a reliable 24/7 system and if other's needed it during an emergency, that it would be there for all."
- "I am personally hoping that Mel's initiative will provide the momentum for some effective learning, preparation, and service as a result of Mel's example. Mel's key won't be completely silent for a long time."
- "In Gratitude for having known Mel, if only for a short while....HE LIVED IN JOY!"
KB7RLP
Curt Mosbarger KB7RLP, Bremerton WA, passed away 30 Sep 2008. He was born in 1952. Curt was a regular member of the Mercury Northwest Net and held a General Class license.
KL5R
KL5R aka W7RVY, Bill Young passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2008. Services were held in Gig Harbor, WA and he was laid to rest with his beloved wife.
KI7JW
Evan Jenson, KI7JW, passed away Monday, September 1, 2008 at his home in Richland from a heart attack.
Evan was very involved in church emergency communications, especially the Emergency Response Communications (ERC) program of the Church Welfare Program. He was one of the Net Control Stations for the Multi-Region ERC Net on Sunday evenings and Saturday mornings. We reflect with gratitude on the plan of salvation and knowledge of the purpose of this life.