Francis Nakamura (WB4ETF)

June 23, 2008

Our Friend Francis Nakamura passed away last week and will be missed by the many people who knew him. Fran had been an engineer at WSOC radio and TV for 35 years before retiring. In 1972 Fran was one of the founding members of the Charlotte Amateur Radio Club (W4CQ). He could always be counted on to keep the repeaters and club HF station going, running phone patches for servicemen and even serving up his famous Beef Tariyaki at our Field Days. Fran was always willing to help those who needed it. He knew so many people that I used to joke you couldn't be a Ham if you didn't know WB4ETF. Into his 70's Fran was still climbing towers(in his flip flops!) still working on repeaters, he never complained, we could always depend on him to pull a miracle just when we needed it. Fran was also a patient teacher to many of us. I think it's safe to say many of us joined the Charlotte Amateur Radio Club out of our respect for him. Fran, even though not a club officer was the heart and soul of our group. I'm proud to be known as his friend.

Contributed by: Mike Miranda (W4DXL)

Fran had a beautiful fist on CW. I remember late, late one field day night when everyone was sacked out but Fran. He kept working stations on CW and I fell asleep to the "music" of his contacts. I'm deeply saddened to hear of his passing.

Contributed by: Gordon Hubbell (N1OU)

Becoming a member of eHAM.net is easy. All we need is a Callsign. The sign-up process prevents others from posting a story as if the story came from you. You can get more information about signing up and our strict adherence to confidentiality at the sign-up page.