Paul was a Past-President of the Clearwater Amateur Radio Society. He had been serving the Club as its Secretary, Webmaster, Newsletter Editor and one of its biggest cheerleaders.
Paul also played a very pivotal role in the creation of the West Central Florida Section three years ago and has served as the Section's Assistant Section Manager - Webmaster. Paul's leadership has also played a major role in the Florida Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Council and the TampaBay Hamfest in recent years.
Paul exemplified the very best in Amateur Radio, as a leader, an operator, a contestor, a repeater owner, a VE. He did it all and all to help make Amateur Radio the best it can be. Please join me in mourning the loss of our good friend.
Funeral arrangements are below.
The Paul Knupke Jr. memorial scholarship fund has been established with the West Central Florida Group, Inc. foundation and Paul's family. The family ask that donation be made to the fund rather then sending flowers. Donations to the fund may be sent to :
Paul Knupke, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund
%Alan J. Pickering
720 N. Shore Boulevard NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701-2623
Note: At the families request please include your name and address with your contribution.
The text above has mainly been obtained through Clearwater Amateur Radio Societie's page Please go there to view N4PK Rememberance Book and Some thoughts from the local Ham Community.
The below is the text I wrote the day after Paul died:
This comes as quite a blow for me. I've known Paul off and on for 11 years.
I never knew him very well, but he was like this constant that was always there. I knew him long before I became a ham. I met Paul at some otherwise long-forgotten BBS events. I knew him before I went to USF. I knew him before I met my wife. Paul has to take some of the credit (or blame) for getting me into this hobby. Ten years ago I was at USF and saw Paul and some guys I didn't know setting up a station at Engineering Showcase. A few years later Paul was there at the USF Hamfest when I finally broke down and got my ticket. Paul was at many major public service events over here in Hillsborough. I knew if I went to any local hamfest, I'd see Paul. He was always there, always involved, and always worth talking to.
Jon - AI4DG (ex KF4LFG)