Howard Thomas "n0ya" Smith
Smith, 89, Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010. Howard was one of the founders and the first Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 612 of Hazelwood. He was a founding member and past-president of the St. Louis and Suburban Radio Club, with a 60-year membership. He was a 52-year member of the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) having call letters N0YA. He enjoyed building and flying (but not the crashing) of radio control model airplanes and was a charter member of the Boeing RC Club. Howard retired as a design engineer after 37 years with McDonnell / Boeing Aircraft. He was a trustee of Hazelwood Baptist Church. Our Dad was a sweet, kind and gentle man who endeared himself to all who knew him. Services: Funeral at Hazelwood Baptist Church, 6161 Howdershell Rd., Hazelwood, Friday, April 9, 2010 at 10 a.m. Interment Mt. Lebanon Cemetery. Memorials to St. John's Mercy Hospice, Angels on Duty or Hazelwood Baptist Church. Visitation at HUTCHENS Mortuary, 675 Graham Rd., Florissant, 3-8 p.m. Thursday.
Howard was still a regular at SLSRC meetings and events. At one meeting last year, which was running a little longer than normal, when it was time to ask for a motion to adjourn, Howard quickly raised his hand and said "Motion to adjourn...my oxygen tank ran out 5 minutes ago".
He was a true gentleman and a great representative of what ham radio is all about.
So sorry to hear of Howard's passing. Howard and I met only recently at the February SLSRC meeting. We got got to visit at his home only briefly after the March meeting. Howard rode with me to that meeting. He was easy to talk with maybe because of our shared interest in amateur radio. He could have taught me many things about different operating modes. He had enjoyed CW earlier in life but found it too difficult to enjoy with failing hearing. He spoke energetically of MARS band operations.
It was clear to me that that was his joy lately. Howard is missed.