Stan K5AS

It is the 78th birthday for old friend, Ron, K5XK. I have left words to congratulate it on his facebook page. I might have another chance to mention about Ron later. Whenever recalling of him, another guy, Stan K5XK came up in my mind. He was a neighbor to Ron and has shared a lot of ham radio activity with him.

It was '80s when I often talked to Stan. A big gun from Ala. Early in '80s, when I came back on the air, I was at a resident dorm of a med school hospital, I put up only a 14AVQ, a popular multiband vertical from Hygain, on the roof, and was running barefoot there. It was like a miracle for me to be able to chat with Stan in Ala. then. Later, Ron told me in the mail to let me know of Stan's passing on Oct 2010 that he had owned two big towers and monobanders. That was the reason.  Soon after sun set, 40m started opening to mid south US. His big signal came on in such an occasion. It must be very early in the morning there.

I know little how Stan has grown up and has lived. I knew a little bit from our QSOs how he had lived in his last years. When I often met him, he was caring for his wife with certain chronic illness. Having lost her, he all of sudden started attending to universities studying anatomy or psychology to pursue his interests. I believe he had legs amputated due to diabetes as Ron's mail told below. He was on a wheel chair by that time. Whenever we met on the radio, he always told how he had been studying the subjects of his interest. He always told me what subject or theme he would do with for the next challenge. His positive attitude toward life always astonished me. 

I had been off the air for almost a decade then and, when coming back after such a long hiatus, was surprised what a joy ham radio could bring me with such a simple set up. Ron told me Stan used to mention about me whenever he saw Stan. That story also moved me not least.

In '90s or so, however, it has become less frequent seeing him on 40m early in our evening.  And in 2011, I have received the following mail from Ron telling of Stan's SK.

Quote;

 Our mutual friend Stan, K5AS, became an SK in October, 2010.

Stan was a wonderful friend and we always talked about you
until the very end. His mind was very keen until his death,
but his body suffered from diabetes and peripheral neuropathy,
which led to the amputation of both legs several years ago.
But he continued to be very mobile, driving his specially
equipped wheelchair, automobile (modified for handicapped ]
driver), and he drove himself to ham club meetings. But,
despite many efforts, he refused offers of help to put up
small "stealth" antennas at his retirement home. After
enjoying two 75' towers and monoband yagis for many years,
he realized that his DXing days were over.

Unquote; 

So that is the story of this great guy. I also thank Ron for letting me have acquaintance with him. It is a memory for me when ham radio was brightly shining.