Dick was soft spoken and very good at
taking time to teach people things.
He was a Musician, playing pure country
with a Rickenbacker Steel,a Telecaster,
Mandolin, or anything with strings. He
built stereo speakers for his band before stereo was really known. Got his
first Ham License in 1940, 15 yrs old, as W9IRO.
Went to the South Pacific WWII as Navy
CB. Avid builder of VHF/UHF transmitters, and loved 6 meter work.
He made recordings of old time country
music and had his own radio show on
Sunday afternoons on KRWC, AM 1360, in
Buffalo, MN Until early this year.
Even though his health slowed him down
some, he still made time to work on
his homebrew 6 and 2 meter beams, pick up some parts for another home-brew amplifier and pass his Extra Class License.
Making transformers for a living and playing music made many people proud to know him. He was patient and kind, the makings of a real Elmer and
mentor.
I'm glad I had the chance to help him when he needed it, and the time,wisdom and knowledge he gave me back was priceless. I hope others, Ham or not, feel the same way too.