Yesterday’s Google Alert for “amateur radio” brought the sad news of two SKs. I would have liked to have met both of these gentlemen…Dan
Richard Tavender, K9IXO. JACKSONVILLE (IL) – Richard Edward Tavender, 58, of Jacksonville, died Monday (Nov. 13, 2017) at his home…Richard graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1977. He was currently serving as an activity instructor for Elm City Center in Jacksonville. Richard had previously worked at EMI Christian Music and the Jacksonville Country Club. Richard was a longtime member of Trinity Episcopal Church and served on the church vestry. He also represented the church on the Passavant Area Hospital Board of Governors. Richard had been a member of the Jacksonville Jaycees and the Jacksonville Amateur Radio Club. He enjoyed fishing, operating ham radio, and especially loved spending time with his family.
According to his QRZ.Com page, he was inactive until January 2016. He upgraded to Extra in March 2016 and was working on his CW skills.
‘Polka John’ of West Newton shared love of music with public. Back in the 1970s and ’80s, viewers of the West Newton cable access channel would have seen John Moran (KA3JHB) once a week as he played polka favorites. The show was called “Polka Janez,” Slovene for Polka John, and featured music from his own collection. John Jacob Moran of West Newton died Monday, Nov. 13, 2017, at his home. He was 97.
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As a member of the Monessen Amateur Radio Club and the Westmoreland Emergency Amateur Radio Service, he was involved with emergency communications during bad weather and backup communications during the annual air show at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, his son said. Mr. Moran used his ham radio equipment to talk to people in other parts of the world.