Silent Keys

This page is dedicated to those members of our Amateur community who have passed on. Their energies and involvement within our fraternity will be missed. Every one of these individuals contributed to making the Livingston Amateur Radio Klub what it is today.

SILENT KEYs - Gone but not Forgotten

Bill Mondeau K8BI 12-25-2003

*William J. Mondeau, K8BI, SK: Bill Mondeau, K8BI, of Howell, Michigan, passed away on December 25, 2003 after a long illness. He was 50 years old. Bill was survived by his wife and 2 daughters. Bill was first licensed in 1969 as WB8FMJ.

Bill was an avid EME and weak signal operator. Bill was our local expert on EME, Meteor Scatter, and weak signal VHF operation. In addition Bill had recently begun to operate mobile HF. Bill was the former Vice President of the Livingston Amateur Radio Klub, and co-founder of the K8JBA (Just a Bunch of Amateurs) Radio Club in Fowlerville, Michigan. Bill was also very involved in ARES and RACES, as well as assisting in code classes for prospective and new amateurs. “Bill was a great friend, teacher and mentor. He was well respected for his family values, sense of humor, and his ability to share his knowledge with others.”

Bill Was Active on 1.8 through 450 Mhz and could be heard on his Icom IC-746, Ameritron AL-572, Lunar-Link LA-22 amplifier with 1500 watt output on 2 meters. His Antennas were: Hy-Gain TH5MK2 at 55ft. Cushcraft 17B2 at 70ft. on Rohn 55 ft. tower. Four M2 2M18XXX at 70ft. on Tri-ex crank up tower with mast mount preamp and 7/8in. hardline feed. Az/el control by M2 for EME and terresterial work.

Bill's other interests included boating, camping, and astronomy.

“I will miss him. Ken Pearce, N4KCD”

“Bill lived life to the fullest, be it in Amateur Radio, Camping, Boating, or his attempts at making Chili for Field Day.” Steve N8GQ

Darlene Schwein WA8WHM 5-16-1998

Sub Drew KB8J

Al Corr W8IW

Robert Thompson WD8MNU 5-20-1921 to 4-10-1994

Craig Arenson WB8OHO 8-24-1946 to 6-13-1993

Greg Yost W8RCA 8-8-2006

W8RCA...Greg Yost was first licensed as WN8GIB in 1970 at the age of 14, and got back into the hobby in the early 80's as first KA8TJV then N8FZD.

Greg's radio interests included DXing, contesting, but mostly ragchewing with new and old friends alike. Greg was also a big fan of the AM mode of operation as well as SSB, and could be heard on 160, 75 and 10 meter AM quite frequently.

Greg was the general manager of Auto City Speedway in Clio, Michigan, a paved 1/2 mile oval track that runs stock car racing from mid April thru mid October.Greg was voted 2003, 2004 and 2005 Short Track Promoter of the year, by the readers of THE MICHIGAN RACING SCENE a weekly newspaper devoted to short track racing in the midwest as well as the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club at there annual meeting for 2004.

Greg also was honored as the "Electronic Media Personality of the Year" in 2004 and 2005 by the board of directors of the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club for his work hosting the award winning radio program, RACEDAY REVIEW, a talk show about racing on AM 1330 WTRX in Flint, Michigan every Sunday from 10am till noon, which was also heard on the world wide web at www.wtrxsports.com and was a morning disc jockey at various Michigan radio stations.

An award winning newspaper journalist as well, Greg wrote for several racing publications including The MARC Times Racing News, and was a weekly columnist for the Michigan Racing Scene, who's readers voted his column "From the Inside" the 2005 "People's Choice" Award Winner.

Greg was married to (Lynn) with 2 sons (Jesse and Casey).

An avid ICOM radio user and Hi-Fi SSB operator,after many years of being a big boatanchor collector,he was running a Heil PR-40 mic. through a W2IHY 8 band EQ into a IC-756 Pro II, AL-80B and various antennas from the "Wattage Cottage" high atop "RF Hill" in suburban Hell, Michigan and was also a proud member (#193) of the world renowned RED RYDER AMATEUR RADIO GROUP.

Dale MacLean AK8R

Dale was a Ham since 1997, upgraded to Tech Plus 1997, General 1998 and Extra 2002. He was very active in 3905 Century Club where he achieved the Master Degree # 14 in 2003. He earned WAS QRP 5 watts on both 40m and 80m. Also WAS YL's, WAS State Capitals, WAS CW all on 80m and 40m, along with WAS 160m. His base was a FT8100R and Icom 746, with TA34XL w/40m add on up 56 feet, Comet G15, G5RV, 160m dipole and a 160m full wave loop. His mobile was an Icom 706M2G with a screwdriver and dual bander

Bob Lutz N8JSC 8-5-1916 to 3-17-2007

Bob was an Extra class Ham and long time LARK member who loved people. He celebrated every individual and had a special love for children. He demonstrated this love as Boy Scout leader in Detroit and Hamburg Township, but most of all by being Santa Claus for twenty five years in Hamburg Township. Bob was active in the Kiwanis Club, senior citizens groups in Pinckney and Hamburg Township, served on the Township Zoning Board, the Hamburg Fire Department (Celebration Chair) and sat on the Board of the Maxie Boys Training School. Friends, visiting his home, remember that he would make them select and take with them one of his brass collectables.

Bob gave much to everyone he came in contact with and he will be missed by many.

Joseph Edward Galipeau, Jr. WA1LRL

Dec 18, 1946 to May 6, 2007

Ed was born in Salem, MA and graduated from Beverly Vocational High School Class of 1968. He was the son of Joseph Edward and Dorothy M.T. (Morneau) Galipeau Sr. of Beverly. He served four years in the submarine service during the Vietnam War and received an honorary discharge.

Ed was a lifetime member of the ARRL and an Extra Class Amateur Radio Operator. He served with the Civil Defense in Beverly, and was one of the first 2,000 EMTs certified in the US. He moved to Michigan in 1985. In Michigan he served with the American Red Cross and various Livingston County ARES and RACES groups. At the time of his death, he was director of IT for New Center Stamping and EC for the National Weather Service in White Lake, MI.

Ed died of amyloidosis, a rare autoimmune disease. Little research is being done because the small number of victims do not generate sufficient research funding. Contributions may be made in his name to Amyloid Research Fund, www.bu.edu/amyloid.

Roy Bain WB8JET

Walt Tait W8LJP

Gordie Willet WB8U

Pete W8SVM

Walker Fausette