Mike W2NVR, SK

[kd3ht]

Sorry to report that my dear friend Mike Ruggerio, W2NVR passed at his home last night.  Thankfully, Mike didn't suffer and passed playing the guitar, sure it one of his favorite Jazz tunes. Mike would be 94 years old in December.
       Mike was a long time amateur who obtained his license in the 40's.  He could be found on AM, SSB and CW.  He was always a very gracious Gentleman, never a bad thing to say about anyone, and always ready to join a QSO, adding his thoughts to the discussion.
       He was an example of a person who never gave up. Had to leave High School and join the CCC, helping support his family during the depression, but persevered obtaining his High School Diploma in the Army and continued on through his career in the military, obtaining his PHD when he was 65 years of age.
       I will always recall he accounts of the radio operation with the CC, following Patton through Africa, fixing a BC-610 in the field in Korea(using them for hamming as well), having a communications command in Italy to name a few.
       Please share in remembering Mike, he will be missed, but will live on in our memories..

Steve, kd3ht
      

[W3GMS]

Mike had a very full life and did well to the end and we all should be so lucky.  I had the pleasure meeting Mike and helping him out on several occasions.   I also enjoyed his enthusiasm on the air and he was like a little kid at times!

I will get a card off to Ann. 

Joe, W3GMS

[W3GMS]

Here is some info about Mike, W2NVR (sk) that was on QRZ.com:

"I have been a radio amateur since April,1941 and I am having as much fun now with the hobby as I did 'way back then! For many years I was very much involved with homebrewing boat anchors and restoring some of the old beauties. In the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1937, I was a CW radio operator using a completely home-brew transmitter and receiver--believe it or not! I am retired (Lt. Colonel) and was also in World WarII and the Korean conflict. Subsequent to military retirement, I worked for the government on strategic telecommunications projects, worldwide, for fifteen years. I filled in my spare time as an FAA-licensed flight instructor for many years. After receiving my doctorate from Temple University, I was a University professor until I retired once more. I am still having a ball pounding brass and having a great time on AM, CW.and SSB using a FLEX 3000 driving an Ameritron AL80B amplifier."

[AJ1G]

We should all go that way Steve....doing something we love, with people we love.  

Seeing that he was a W2, I wonder if he was either the father or uncle of one of my University of Rhode Island Phi Kappa Psi frat brothers, Dave Ruggerio, who was a class of 1973 EE major a year ahead of me, and one of three hams we had living at the frat at the time. Dave was from  Oakland,NJ, I can't recall his ham call though.  Dave had an HW101 in his room, I had my Apache and the Scott SLRM in mine, and we had 40 and 20 meter inverted vees hung from the mast for the house TV antenna distribution system Channel Master LP antenna.  Didn't operate very much, due to the TVI and stereo interference we would generate with that antenna system!

[Tom WA3KLR]

I'm sorry to hear of Mike's passing.  I talked with him on the 75 meters Antique Wireless Association net.  I could tell that he was a sharp guy.   73.

[Steve - K4HX]

Sorry to hear of Mike's passing. I spoke with Mike quite a bit in the 80's and early 90's on 40 meter AM and some on 75 meters too. I met him in person at the Lake Ariel Rolling Rock event. Time passed and I lost track and hadn't heard him on the air until this past winter when I came across him on SSB on 80 meters. We had a good time catching up.

Farewell Mike.

[W3FJJ]

Sad to hear of Mike's passing. I enjoyed chatting with him over the years, he was an
upbeat, and interesting guy to talk to..  We shared our love for Millen push-pull RF amplifiers.
I didn't realize he played guitar too.    RIP Mike..... Will miss ya..

[W2VW]

Mike was a fine example.

Met him in the basement at N4FS' place 22 years ago.

Obviously an accomplished person who had zero brag.

At one time he had a homebrew 811 X 812 rig on the air. I believe he sold it because of moving near relatives who had health problems.

Heard and spoke with Mike a few times recently near 3705.

R.I.P.

http://www.tilghmanfh.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2195438&fh_id=13965

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

That's where I caught up with Mike, down in the 80m portion on 3.725 while testing the 30K-5. In fact, he was my last contact with that TX with Kim KE3SX just before.

Mike was incredibly interesting to talk with. The stories he told of flying and radios were amazing to listen to. He had a brother who worked for Collins for quite a while back in the 50s. He also told of being forced down at a SAC base once while flying some high ranking folks to another base, due to bad wx. He said it was quite similar to the scene out of Strategic Air Command where the DC-3 lands with a 'bad' engine. They surrounded his plane and wouldn't let anyone out for some time.

Never knew exactly how old he was but figured he was up there when he mentioned WWII. You'd have never guessed by his voice (a lot like Ralphie who doesn't sound close to his age). He was running a Flex 3000 and G5RV when we last spoke, IIRC.

A true gentleman who will be missed on the band.

[KI4THX]

I wish I had a chance to meet him, he sounds like a very interesting man. His stories can live on through all that remember him surely, and in that, he will remain with you. I read through SK posts with great attention and a heavy heart to know that another of a GREAT generation has passes on to the big shack in the sky.

Men of his salt are a rare occurance today.

My neighbor, who has been liscenced since pearl harbor, has many many interesting stories to tell. Ive listened, and learned by listening to him recount his time on this earth many times. Unfurtunately Dean has had to relocate closer to his daughter for health reasons and that home that held all that history is now empty. He gave me two of his verticles before he left, and I promised him Id put them to good use.

Thank you gentleman, for those that have passed, and for those that carry on sharing your lifes stories with the younger generations. It a busy life nowdays for a young father of two, and even though Ive never met Mike, I know of his kind and im sure he will be missed by many.

[W3GMS]

I wish I had a chance to meet him, he sounds like a very interesting man. His stories can live on through all that remember him surely, and in that, he will remain with you. I read through SK posts with great attention and a heavy heart to know that another of a GREAT generation has passes on to the big shack in the sky.

Men of his salt are a rare occurance today.

My neighbor, who has been liscenced since pearl harbor, has many many interesting stories to tell. Ive listened, and learned by listening to him recount his time on this earth many times. Unfurtunately Dean has had to relocate closer to his daughter for health reasons and that home that held all that history is now empty. He gave me two of his verticles before he left, and I promised him Id put them to good use.

Thank you gentleman, for those that have passed, and for those that carry on sharing your lifes stories with the younger generations. It a busy life nowdays for a young father of two, and even though Ive never met Mike, I know of his kind and im sure he will be missed by many.

Very well stated and than you for the inspiring words.

73,
Joe, W3GMS

[wa3dsp]

I only met Mike once at one of our annual AWA Bruce Kelley net luncheons when he and his wife attended. I could tell he was kind and gentle man and very knowledgeable and accomplished. He had some health issues but he was able to enjoy his hobbies until the end and that in itself is an accomplishment.  We will miss him for sure. I only wish I had know him earlier in my life. He would have been a great mentor.

[W1AEX]

I ran into Mike on the air a number of times and was always very impressed with the wide range of experiences in his life. His QRZ bio is an amazing snapshot of things he accomplished but then you have to add the demeanor of a perfect gentleman and mountains of good-natured friendliness on top of that to get the full picture. Just a great guy.

Mike's grandson found a video I posted on YouTube that has Mike in conversation with Paul WA3VJB. He left a comment at the video and asked that the word be spread of Mike's passing to all his radio friends. Mike certainly had a lot of friends here and he will definitely be missed by everyone who knew him.

Rob W1AEX

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjT_Y1PzmZw