Mr. Gearhiser was an enthusiastic ham for 75 years. He retired as the Superintendent of Utilities at Mississippi State University in 1975, but stayed active as trustee of the University's amateur radio station (which was named after him in 2003).
Mr. Gearhiser lived just down the street from my grandparents' home. I remember my grandfather (a retired professor from MSU) walking me to his house for a fun evening of watching him contact other hams around the world.
RIP, old friend.