The AM Forum

It is with a very heavy heart that I make this post.

I received a phone call around noon from Gloria. Timmy has passed on. He passed at 11:00 am this morning  after a long battle with brain cancer. May God rest his soul.

Timmy and I have been friends for over 20 years, and I am not handling this very well. Both my heart and soul are heavy from this news. The Derb has passed on to the great radio world beyond. The actual cause of death was a UTI that overtook him in his allready weakend condition. The BJB may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.

No news of any funeral arrangements have been made yet. News will follow as it is made. Anyone wishing to contact Gloria can contact me by PM here or by phone
(410-440-6949) and I will forward the contact info back and forth.

God bless, and Godspeed, brother, we still and always will love you! ! !

to coin an old Irish saying this says it all:

"May you allready be through the gates of heaven an hour before the devil notices you're gone"

Godspeed, brother, we still love you and are surely going to miss you!!

Be yo brother, sometimes called the Slab Bacon...........................

Frank, thanks for informing us; I know it was hard for you.  I like to think he is with Ozona, Leo, and all the other SK AMers now.  RIP

Rob

I'm very saddened to hear this, but we know that Tim's struggle is over and he is at rest now.  

I was thinking of him last night as I went to bed and that I hadn't heard anything about him in a while.  So I said a prayer for Tim and Glo' before I went to sleep.

God bless the Derb.

RIP, OM.  The shack in the hereafter has more tubes than you can burn out... :'(

DG

Frank,

I know it was tough news to pass along but I was expecting such an announcement any day. 

May those that he leave behind heal from the sorry of his loss.  Derb's legacy will live with us forever.  His unique style and loving personality are things we will never forget.

This is just yet another reminder of how fragile and uncertain the time on this earth is. 

Our deepest sympathies go out to all Derb's family and friends. 

Joe, W3GMS 

Derb was one of my favorite ham buds. Many of us have fond memories of the parties and on-air fun with the BJB.

His passing is a great loss for the AM community.

Sympathies to his family.  Rest in Peace, Tim.

Tom, K1JJ

RIP

What a long hard fight. No one deserves that.

RIP, Derb. You were and are an inspiration to us all.

Bill KA8WTk

RIP Derb.  I'll always remember our one and only contact OTA.  You made me smile.

Am truly sad to hear.  This man was one of the nicest guys on this board.  I am really sorry to hear he is gone.  God bless.

Jim/W5JO

This is the thread title that I've dreaded to see here.  :(

My sincerest, heartfelt condolences to his family and all who knew him personally.  To my sadness, I never had the privilege to meet Tim on the air or in person.  I've enjoyed his posts and discussions here on the board, and ask that they be collected in an archive of some sort.

I pray that he is with the Heavenly Father, and watching over each and every one of us.  I pray that his loved ones are comforted during their time of grief.

Rest in blessed peace, sir. (http://forum.goregasm.com/images/smilies/rose.gif) † (http://forum.goregasm.com/images/smilies/rose.gif)

I met Derb through Steve/HUZ about 20 years ago, and knew right away he was gonna be a character.

He was a guy with a keen sense of life, and of people, and how it all works both good and bad.

Pam & I have a favorite memory together of Tim. He was hosting us for dinner over at his folks place in Columbia, Md.  If you've ever met or seen him, you know he appreciated food.

Well, early in the evening, before dinner, he came out with a tray of cupcakes he had just made -- not even any icing yet.

"Here, this will take the edge off."   Since it was getting time and at least one stomach was rumbling.


We'll miss you Derb.

Sorry to hear the sad news.  RIP Derb.

Eric

RIP,

sad to hear the news

wd8kdg
craig

Derb will be missed by many. I always enjoyed tuning across any QSO where Derb was lurking as there was sure to be laughter there. My condolences to Gloria and Derb's many close friends.

Rob W1AEX

Bummer day! I will miss his suggestion regarding restorations and his own keen opinion of things. He's was one of those people that you are glad you got to know. Turn off the filaments Timmy.  :'(

and you guys who knew him for 20 years, are lucky. I only got to enjoy his posts and website. And those darn politically incorrect AM cartoons about Uncle Ray on that site. Those made me laugh. Derb, it was not fair what happened, and I hope to meet you some time in the future. Sorry about all this mess.

Condolences Glo ... Derb was a lucky man to have you at his side.

If things indeed happen for a reason, Derb got an early 'call up' for a purpose. The hereafter is an even better place with Derb there. RIP.

Frank,
        Thanks for letting us all know. I really feel bad about this. The "Derb" is going to be greatly missed by all who knew him.
   
        Joe Cro N3IBX   

Thanks for passing the word along Frank.
It is difficult today to look beyond our sorrows. Words seem insufficient. Derb will be fondly remembered.
-a

Tim never gave up even with the bad deck of cards he was dealt healthwise.

R.I.P. BJB.

Very sad to hear this.
Sincere condolences to his close freinds, family, and of course Gloria.


RIP

73 Tim

I'm so very sorry.

My very best to you now Glo.

Sweetly rest
   the dear soul
       now departed.

This is sad to me.  This hits very close to home. 

Though we should all keep in mind that Tim broke on through to the other side where there's the ultimate AM DX that no transmitter or ideal propagation on this side can make.

Keep an ear open for the Derb's AM DX!!!  He'll be heard again.

Glo - your loss is felt here also...God Bless you and keep you at this difficult time..

Chris, AJ1G
Stonington, CT

Glo, you are in our prayers. I never met Tim, but heard him on the radio many times. He will be remembered fondly.
                                          Joe Crawford
                                          Prospect, TN

Glo, may you find peace and comfort knowing that Tim's battle is won and he is wrapped in the arms the Almighty on high and walking with Jesus.  God bless you!

RIP Tim

Frank, that is sad news indeed.  Derb was an interesting character to say the least.  He will be sorely missed.  Rest in Peace Derb. 

RIP Tim. Very sad news to lose another so soon. Our sympathies to Glo and family.
-Paul and Maggie

WOW............... :'(

I'm so very glad I had the joy of meeting you both, Glo.
All my prayers and all our love.

I'm so very sorry to hear this news.  Rest in Peace Derb! 

73,  Jack, W9GT

 May you rest in peace :'(

Very sad and a fight to the end. RIP Derb.

Derb's Dead?  Aw Maaaann!   :(   He'll be sadly missed!!   I never got to meet him on the air, but I always found his posts enjoyable.  In spite of his situation, he had such a positive attitude!

73 & Many Great QSOs For You In The Great Beyond Derb!
Ellen - AF9J

I'm afraid I have to disagree... Derb lost the battle, but he did put up a good fight, surviving for more than four years as I recall, after being given no more than six months to live. This is especially true, given the roller-coaster ride he went through after his second diagnosis, where one day he was declared disease-free and the next day told the cancer was growing.

I will sorely miss my "official photographer".  Farewell, old friend.

Indeed.  For quite a while after his first bout he was steadily improving, had no sign of cancer, and building/repairing radio stuff exercised his mind and his motor control.

ALthough this was not unexpected, it's desperately sad nonetheless.  He was a great radio bud and listening to him and the gang having fun on the air was a real impetus for me to get into AM - actually, back into ham radio after a long hiatus.

73 OM  :'(

I will remember keep him in my prayers. Sad News indeed.

aw gee.  :'(


      ... -.-



                  _-_-bear

Horrible, horrible news. I met Tim and Gloria a couple of times at Frank's (KB3AHE) post-Timonium party. It's always distressing to learn of the passing of one of our AM family.

RIP, Tim.

While I had never met him either in person or on the air, I respected his wisdom and honored everything he passed along to us here in these forums.

He will be missed.

did dit dit      dah dit dah

The whole thing just did not seem real. Wish it had not been real.
Deep regrets,
           Gary

I only had a few conversations with Derb, but like the rest on the forum, enjoyed his enthusiasm and positive outlook. I noticed few comments about his gear, projects, or radio collection.
All the comments were about him.
Isn't that great!
God Bless Derb and Gloria.

Very sorry to hear this.

First Dave, and now Tim.  There is little joy here right now.  Hopefully they are working each other on AM in the hereafter.

RIP to two great AMers!

73, de K2VHerb

God Bless, Derb

But enjoy the *new* excellent band conditions and extremely low ambient noise level.

Yes the Derb has gone on a trip that we all will do one day. Peace be with you my friend!

I'm sure the Black James Bond will be at the gates of heaven with his 44 pill amplifier just waiting for skip land so you can shoot some DX togather ;D ;D

RIP  de W2PFY

Frank - Very sorry to hear of Tims passing. Enjoyed very much talking with Derb OTA on a few occasions. Always enjoyed his posts here, especially Tims perfectionist approach to his restoration projects. RIP Derb

Rest in Peace, Derb.

You are now where there is no QRM or pesky static crashes.

Mitch

Man I hate to hear this. I learned much from Derb over the years about ham radio, especially some of the historical aspects. I also learned a lot about life from Derb. He will be greatly missed.

Rest in peace brother and my condolences to Glo.

73's Tim.

Sorry to hear the news about the Derb.

I never got to speak with him over the air but did get to speak with him on the phone one day after one of his treatments at the hospital.

Prayers for Gloria and the family.

Derb has QSYed to a better frequency.

Phil - AC0OB

I didn't get the chance to know Derb but from what I've read of his and what
I've heard from Frank I feel his absence.

 :(

Very sad news.
My best wishes for his family and friends at this very sad time.
There is no question he will be missed.

Here's a thought. Maybe someone close to Derb both geographically and personally, would be willing to take out a club call sign to preserve N3DRB as the "Derb Memorial Station", which would be used periodically as a special event station, with guest operators invited to participate. If a suitable location could be found, the Raytheon could even be set up and put on the air as a permanent fixture.

I'm not exactly sure how it works, but I frequently hear of club stations sporting a deceased member's call sign under the vanity system.  Of course, the best known example is W1AW, established long before the vanity program was ever thought of.

Sorry to hear the bad news.

I remember listing to Tim a number of times over the years, and worked him once or twice.

He added life and interest on the radio and here on this board.

We will all miss The Derb!

Dan

I had a long telephone conversation with Timmy back in February when I was in the hospital myself. He told me that there was nothing more that they could do for him and they were going to send him home so he could spend his last few days at home.

Upon hearing this I fell apart. I was in there fighting for my own survival, but I just couldn't handle the thought of him dying. I was no good for a good while after that.
I was in tears for him and he was trying everything that he could to comfort me. that is a phone call that I will never forget.

Surprisingly, he was quite comfortable about facing his own demise. He was good with it and handling the bad news much much better than I did. I think he was just growing tired and weary from the battle.

Some time back he said something to me that will always stay with me till my own end. He said:

 "We have been through a lot as friends over the years, and you have never given up on me as a friend. (Timmy could be a bitter pill at times) Thank you for always being there and always being my friend"

Those are words I will carry with me till the end.......................

Timmy you will be severely missed! ! !

I will miss you Derb....Glo you are in my prayers.

Brent W1IA

The amazing thing that struck me about Tim was his level of life experience and the accompanying stories. The things he did, places he went, adventures he had. Stories about trips in his old Mercury (Comet?), the radio shop he worked in when he was younger, the rigs he built or owned. As if he was living his 30s-40s in his teens and twenties.

Those who knew him will miss him terribly. Many knew him longer and better than I did. But from what I knew and know of Tim, like Dave/'ZRF, he certainly crammed a lot of living into his brief time on earth. In some ways, he had the wisdom of an 80 year old man. And in other ways, he was still a big kid who enjoyed stirring things up and having fun.

The last time I remember hearing him on the air was on an old Norelco bedside tube radio while visiting VT. He was on with Buddly and a few others raising hell on 80. Derb paused at which time Steve jumped in saying "monkey swing monkey swing monkey swing....", one of Derb's favorite phrases. To which he responded "Yeah, man. Swing that monkey".

Remembering the good times won't change the outcome, but it's a great way to keep him with us for years to come.

And where pray tell do you think my "Slab Bacon" monicre came from?? That was me and Timmy mixin it up on one of those friday night break-in sessions. He was gettin down with his BJB schtick and I went back to him with "hey big brotha, hey big brotha, I got a grip on yo lip!! Be the Slab Bacon wit da fat meat shakin" And the rest, as they say is history.

Timmy has left a lasting impression on many of us in the AM world of ham radio!!

The black Mercury that he drove was a '62 or 63 Mercury Meteor.

Rest in peace my black crackle bro.... May the bounty of Thordarsons, Kenyons, and other heavy metal mod and plate iron be at your reach...

Aw crap!   :'(
I'm late to this thread.  (Been away from the board for a while, while I got other things under control.)  I too dreaded seeing this. I'm literally in tears, but I expected it.  For  months and months I  was wondering about Tim's  situation.  Very, very  sad.

My sincere condolences, late as they are to Glo and family.  RIP Tim,  see you on the other side.

Thank you, everyone. :) :'(

I miss the sound of Derb's station rolling into New England during those early evening sessions around 3.730. I think the last time I worked Timmy was just over 2 years ago back when he and Frank (Slab Bacon) got the Gonset amplifer back in operation. He was really happy to be back on the air with a strapping signal. I happened to record that one and posted it on YouTube back in November of 2009:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2iJAEWyDQQ

At about the 1:12 mark the famous "monkey swing" plate current value is revealed by Derb. I don't recall a single QSO with Timmy that didn't have lots of laughs. He seemed to always be having fun and he shared it with all of us.

Hello to Mrs. Derb!

Rob W1AEX

Hmmmm........... that was me talking to him in the beginning of the video.
It was right after I got the Gonset amp up and running for him.

He was definately swingin the monky! !


Damn it!! I miss him  :'(

He always brought really interesting and fun topics to this board. Its appropriate to recall this now, just after Thanksgiving, I (we) are thankful he was part of the AM hobby and all of this because he made it better.

Timmy was an "acquired taste" for many, but a lot of fun to hang out with.
With his rather abstract sense of humor he was always fun, especially in person. After knowing him for 20 years we had shared many good laughs.

Thanks to him and Steve, they were the ones who pulled me into this "AM thing"  :o  ;D  ;D

After all Timmy was the cause of my "Slab Bacon" monicre.

He is, was, and will always be severely missed! ! !

When I originally started this thread, I had just gotten the news from his wife, Gloria. I was really having a tough time pulling myself together enough to type it.

I never knew Tim or heard him on the air, but he was surely a special person to alot of folks.  No greater legacy can be left behind than to be remembered and spoken of so fondly as on this board.
  Rest in peace, Derb...you did not pass this way unnoticed.

How's Flo doing?  How are you doing if your reading this lately Flo?  Haven't heard since seeing you at Frank's.  I hope all is a well.

Wow ......

I am way late to this thread and apologize to anyone if bringing this back up bothers them.

I have not been active on radio since back in 2008 so obviously I have missed way too much.

I only found this by searching call signs of friends from the past.

I knew Tim when he was living in the Baltimore area and we used to have a late night net on 2 meters.

He was a big presence on  2 Meters and later on 220 Mhz, and always expressed a passion for AM operations.

I loved his wit and humor and in those ways we were somewhat alike.

Even now when I get on two meters I think back on those days of the " LID Net " we would run on the 147.030 machine in Baltimore, without fail Tim was always there.

To see this thread lets me know he touched many many lives in a positive way.

Again, if bringing this up again is painful for anyone ..... please accept my most sincere apologies!



My belated condolences to his wife and family !!!!

Wow! Thanks for posting up! I had no idea Tim was into 2M nets, the LID net! that's outrageous and exactly the kind of oddball-fun-sounding thing - it fits right into place.

This actually brightened my morning, made me think of his sense of humor.

You can use the search function on his 'handle' here, "N3DRB The Derb" if that's correct, to see what topics he started. His last project was a 250W Raytheon AM broadcast transmitter nicknamed "Uncle Ray".

Flo seems well, "Uncle Ray" has a new home.. but don't take my word for it. Many people here were much closer to The Derb and I know him only from his posts, maybe they can chime in.

Welcome and hang around a bit. There's lots of interesting stuff here.

Your having posted is actually a way to help perpetuate the memory of The Derb.
Thanks for contributing !

It's also an occasion to take stock in the fact he's already been gone for a year.
That's amazing.

Please join us or at least come  back from time to time.  Any friend of Derb's is a friend of mine.

Sometime later, I was bestowed quite an honor by his wife, Gloria. As she presented me with a small box of his ashes. That box now resides proudly on the shelf in my radio room, and I have quite often heard signing as "this is KB3AHE with N3DRB ridin shotgun"

Many thanks to ALL that have chimed in! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

I was surfing the web for a long lost friend and former neighbor and found this post.  Yes it is sad and I know I am very late to this post but I feel that I must pay my respects.   I knew Tim back in 1986 time frame when I became his neighbor in Columbia. MD.  I moved in, set up my hidden in the tree antenna and started meeting new friends on 11 meters.... Yes then 11m.  Well maybe the 2nd or 3rd night my 11m rig went nuts with some sort of rant where "Tim" was giving someone a lesson on radio and how to properly use it....  Anyway long story short I knocked on his door and we became neighbor friends right away.   We never had anyone block our QSO's hahahah.   Tim gave me the HAM bug bad and several years later, after I moved to PA and once my work life settled down I got my ticket and started to enjoy real radio.   I found Tim on AM shortly after getting my ticket but could not start a QSO from my weak station.   Well at least I found this post and now know where he is transmitting from now.  Can't get any higher elevation than that....  73 long lost friend it was a pleasure to know you.  Tom K3WS

Tim had a helluva bad situation with a neighbor, in Columbia, Md. and RFI. It seemed like the slightest amount of RF out Timmy's radio and it would knock the neighbor's dial-up line/computer off line. The neighbor apparently relied on the internet to earn money. I think he worked the stock markets.

Still miss Derb.
Fred

Derb was quite a character and didnt deserve to go so young, but he is well-remembered here by lots of his friends. 

Stick around and join us with AM and ham radio fun!

Tank you and yes I will hang out.  One person who I met on air some time ago already found me.  73 all Tom K3WS

Welcome, Tom!

Good to hear from you Tom. I think of Derb often, more often lately since a coworker has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Hope to hear you on the air. That's a great call sign!

W3 Whiskey Sour
W3 Woulda Shoulda
W3 Whipper Snapper
W3 Walking Shoes
W3 Wayfarin' Stranger
W3 Wide Signal
W3 Welded Steel

Ok, I'll stop.  :D

K3 We Shouldn't
K3 Won't Surrender
K3 Why Save
K3 Well Secured

 :P

And if he was a down south sweet tea sipper,

K3 Weeeellll  Sheeeeeiiitt

Lol

--Shane
KD6VXI

Fellows, Tom's call sign is K3WS, NOT W3WS... But then, Steve started the phonetics thing so who am I to contradict him?

Yeah, I miss the Derb,  the Slab,  Dave (ZRF), Bill (DUQ), PUN (the Punster), Richard Roxas (W3NCC) & a whole bunch more that I used to chat with in the evenings...  

Then there was Erb in the afternoons...

I guess that's just  life at 88...  ::)

Ralph, W3Good Luck..

Two of our missing friends.

L to R: John-W3JN, Tim-N3DRB, Frank-KB3AHE, Carol-KB3OMT

Thanks Steve!

Steve

This gospel song popped into my mind when I saw your post and remembered those who have gone before us all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhGOFC3kPDc
 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhGOFC3kPDc)
Thanks, Al

Great picture Steve....

Joe-GMS

I have to agree Joe, thanks Steve.

Karl, KD3CN

N3DRB....this is W4WSZ....73 and good night my friend

Two more friends that have passed on.