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« Last post by W1RC on May 11, 2023, 03:15:30 AM »
Dave Hawke, KQ1L, became a Silent Key on Wednesday May 10th 2023. He was 82. A remarkable individual, Dave was from Boothbay Harbor Maine. He spoke with that delightful "Down East" brogue. A humble, unassuming man, Dave told everyone he always lived in Maine except for the years he "went to engineering school in Massachusetts". It was only later we found out that "engineering school" was M I T. From what I gather he was involved in several high level projects while he was there but, of course, he never spoke of this.
Dave was a repeater guy. He built an analog repeater network that covered most of the state of Maine which is no small task when you understand how big Maine is. With the advent of digital radios Dave did it again, so now there are both FM and DMR networks covering the state. Dave paid for this equipment out of pocket and refused to accept donations.
During his long career Dave worked for the Maine State Police and Central Maine Power building their repeater networks. Later he was the Kennebeck County computer guy and ran a server farm from his cellar on Cony Street in Augusta. Any amateur radio club or organization could have space on his server at no cost. That included NEAR-Fest. I offered him the same amount that any other company would charge but Dave wouldn't hear of it. I finally was able to get him to accept hotel rooms so he and his XYL Brenda, K1YFY, could stay in comfort at Deerfield and Boxborough MA ARRL conventions every year. It made me happy to see them attending these events and having a good time,
Dave worked into his eighties and even continued to ride his beloved motorcycle taking trips all over the Northeast with Brenda. He only stopped when his illness became debilitating. He beat it the first round but it reappeared last fall and claimed him yesterday. It is a great loss for the many who knew and loved him. I miss him already.
May he rest in peace.
NEAR-Fest XXXIV will be dedicated to Dave?s memory. There will be a celebration of Dave?s life at Deerfield on Friday, October 13th 2023 at 5:00PM. Please visit our web site for details.
Sadly submitted,
Michael Crestohl, W1RC