The AM Forum

It seems that as we all get older ourselves, it hits all the harder when we lose comrades. Besides the pain of loss, it's a reminder of our own mortality.

Jim Tonne, W4ENE: The Jim Tonne of Tonne's Software. Sept 21st, 2025.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/james-tonne-obituary?id=59587279
Joe DiMaggio, WA1HFQ: Well-known and respected engineer at local television station WVIT for many decades. Sept. 27th 2025.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/wethersfield-ct/joseph-dimaggio-12540652
Ed Hare, W1RFI: Long-serving League engineer and accomplished ham. Oct. 10th, 2025.
https://www.arrl.org/news/ed-hare-w1rfi-long-time-arrl-lab-engineer-passes-away
John Bartscherer (John Bee), N1GNV: Owner of Quicksilver Radio and a regular fixture at local hamfests, in his customary yellow shirt with suspenders. Oct. 23rd, 2025.

Sad losses in each case, but the passing of Joe DiMaggio hit me the hardest, since I would speak with him at just about every local hamfest; the last time being this past September 6th, where he looked hale and healthy. I just found out a couple of days ago that he was gone, and I'm still in shock. Cherish each day, and the friends that fill them.

When I was done packing at the end of the Sussex hamfest this year, I stopped over at John Bee's area to wish him a safe trip home and I'd see him next year.

Almost every month when I check the SK list in QST, I recognize a customer of mine that has passed.

Id no idea we lost Jim and Ed.  Truly large losses in our little world.

I know Ed has done tons for solar rfi remediation, I hope he got someone to train.  I know the league had been looking for quite some time.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

I should have posted this earlier also but my wife was going through life threatening procedures, (again!) at the time. Joe Dozpat, WA3UVP(SK) passed away earlier this year also.

https://visneski.com/obituaries/joseph-j-dozpat-iii/

God have mercy upon all!

Hi:

I knew Ed and Joe. Joe's passing hurt as he was super kind and one of the smartest broadcast engineers I know.

Dan
W1DAN

W1DAN said:Joe lived the next hill over from me. For a while he was our township's code officer. I bought a lot of equipment from him over the years and sometimes I would visit him just to shoot the breeze.

At the last swap-meet at the Vintage Radio Museum, Joe's absence was keenly felt. Joe was one of those guys who could talk the ears off a brass monkey, but it was all good because you knew it was pure joy for him; not just a job and not just a hobby, but a labor of love. Many times he was talking above my paygrade, but it was still great just going along with the flow of his enthusiasm.