1940-2010
Those of us who knew Larry were overwhelmed with a deep sense of sadness at the news of his sudden death on the morning of Friday May 28. Larry was an enthusiastic ambassador for amateur radio. He had a smile and personality that was impossible to resist. He was outgoing, gregarious and made friends easily. Now that he has become a silent key, we will miss him immensely.
Larry grew up on a farm near Chatham, Ontario. He went on to serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a vehicle specialist, in both Canada and Europe. Later, he served as a records management specialist at what is now Natural Resources Canada. After his retirement, Larry taught Canada Safety Council defensive driving courses.
Larry was a communicator. Initially, he was involved in radio through the General Service band (CB). Subsequently, he became interested in amateur radio and, in 1992, graduated from the course offered by the Ottawa Valley Mobile Radio Club (OVMRC) and obtained his ubiquitous call sign VE3WEH. He later became a lecturer on VHF-UHF communications for that course.
Larry was a leader. Shortly after obtaining his license, he was elected to the executive of the Club and, over the years, he served in many positions. Nonetheless, the position that was dearest to his heart was that of Chair of the Historical Committee and curator of the Club archives, a role for which he was extremely well suited because of his many varied interests, his experience and his expertise.
Larry was a recruiter. Many served on the executive of the Club and on its committees because they found it impossible to say no to him.
Larry had many passions. He was interested in space and astronomy. He was also an accomplished and avid photographer. As a result, he accumulated a vast collection of pictures related to the history of the Club and to the development of amateur radio in the Ottawa area. He was most generous in sharing his prints and files with everyone. From the early 1990s, Larry contributed the majority of the pictures that appeared in the Club newsletter, the Rambler.
Larry loved to communicate using amateur radio. He brought his radios with him everywhere. He was constantly on the air. He was one of the founding members of the Welcome Mat Net and one of its main net controllers. He was the main net controller for the News and History Net (formerly the Military Net). He was a frequent controller for the Wise Owl Net and for the Pot Hole Net. His dedication to nets was a major factor in their longevity.
Larry loved to talk about amateur radio. He was a dependable volunteer at the Club station, VE3JW, located at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. There, he spent many hours spreading his infectious enthusiasm for amateur radio to the visiting public and mentoring other amateurs. Over the years, Larry contributed almost 2,000 hours of his personal time volunteering at VE3JW.
Larry was a member of Radio Amateurs of Canada for which he was a strong advocate. He was a member of the Ottawa Vintage Radio Club and had accumulated a respectable personal collection of vintage radios. He had also served as Vice-President of the Pioneer Amateur Radio Club.
Larry was one of the main organizers of Club special events such as the Intercontinental Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend and of the OVMRC Hamfest. He was also one of the main organizers of Field Day, most notably of Field Day 2000, where 35 stations participated on the air, and where he assisted in the food trailer flipping burgers and cooking chicken. He contributed to the success of the Trans-Canada Relay in 2000 and to the Champlain Trail in 2008. He founded the Capital Area Region Bunny Hunters Association (CARBHA) which attracted radio transmitter hunters from outside the immediate area.
Larry was active in many of the events where amateur radio operators support the not-for-profit sector such as at ski marathons and road races. He was a frequent visitor to amateur radio flea markets in the region. Larry was in large part responsible for the Club’s success in raising substantial funds through the sale of technical manuals.
Larry was an entertainer. He had a large collection of costumes which he would wear with great pride on occasions such as radio transmitter hunts and the Talk to Santa Over Amateur Radio events.
Larry was a friend and mentor to a number of blind amateur radio operators. He was a sponsor with respect to The Canadian National Institute for the Blind amateur radio program. Larry was also a member of the executive of High Horizons, a one-day-a–week social program for the physically challenged. Larry persuaded several amateur radio operators to join him in serving that community. Larry’s compassion enriched his life.
Larry loved the company of his fellow amateur radio operators. Those of us who hung out with him could not help but notice his constant devotion as a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Serving the amateur radio community and the broader community was an immensely important part of Larry’s life. He was recognized for his dedication on a number of occasions over the years. In 1998, Larry received the Jerry Wells OVMRC Amateur of the Year Award. Recently, we learned that he would receive a Volunteer Service Award from the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat.
Larry passed away preparing for his shift as a volunteer amateur radio operator at VE3JW. Unquestionably, Larry left the world in a much better shape than he found it. Larry, 73.
Joe, VE3EUS, May 31, 2010
The following is a poem that Larry showed me in his home last year. It personifies his spirit and his love for life and persuit of happiness. Enjoy!
Don't Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown
73, my good friend.
Chris VA3SM
A photo gallery is available for viewing here.