Paul McIntyre KC5JAX (SK)

Paul McIntyre, KC5JAX, president of the River City ARCS, became a Silent Key at the age of 57 on February 28, 2020. He was one of four victims of a knife attack by a client at the Wellness and Recovery Center in Carmichael where Paul was interning in his training to become a social worker.

Paul was a long time mentor and volunteer, passionate to help others learn and enjoy amateur radio. He served years as a club officer, on the Board of Directors and as our net coordinator. He and his wife Barbara and son Hunter regularly participated in our picnics, Field Days and other club activities.

“He's a wonderful brave blind man who had no defense against what happened here,” said his wife Barbara McIntyre. Barbara said Paul interned at the wellness and recovery center two days a week. But his life was cut short Friday. "He was murdered on our son’s 17th birthday, so now, my son is going to have to remember his father's brutal death on every birthday that he has for the rest of his life.” McIntyre's family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs. “He was the most beautiful man I ever met and I waited and waited for him. And when I found him, I knew I had something good,” said Barbara. Link to Fox40 news story.

Roger Cain KI6FYF (SK)

Roger W. Cain, KI6FYF, expired at age 78 in Roseville, California at 10:45 pm on Monday, September 24, 2018. Born on June 28, 1940 in Casper, Wyoming, Roger was a classmate of Dick Cheney at Natrona County High School and went on to study electrical engineering, motivational science, and industrial engineering. Roger served five years in the US Army including assignments in Korea and Vietnam, five years in the Air National Guard, and retired as a Quartermaster Chief after 26 years in the US Coast Guard stationed in Monterey and San Francisco. He was a Lay Minister at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Sacramento, a member of the American Legion, Fleet Reserve Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the River City Amateur Radio Communications Society, an American Radio Relay League Life Member, Sacramento Valley Assistant Section Manager, and an avid supporter of section and club activities. He was always cheerful and enjoyed making people laugh. Roger is survived by his wife Dr. Carol Milazzo, KP4MD.

A memorial service and reception in celebration of Roger's life was held on Sunday October 7, 2018 at 4 pm at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Sacramento. The U.S. Coast Guard buried his remains at sea with military honors in Monterey Bay on December 9, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Ken Martin KE6RMN)

Ron Murdock W6KJ (SK)

Our past ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Manager, Ronald Murdock, W6KJ, passed away peacefully at home by his beloved wife Jo Anne, N6YLO, on the morning of April 1, 2017. Ron was a very active and long-standing member of the American Radio Relay League. He served as ARRL Sacramento Valley Section Manager from July 2007 through September 2015. Ron was a US Air Force veteran, who flew 300 combat missions as a B52 radar navigator. He also worked as a substitute teacher for 15 years. Ron listed his amateur radio interests as: Amateur Satellites, Building Antennas, Building Equipment/Kits/Accessories, Club Meetings, Continuing Education Training/Courses, Conventions Hamfests Flea Markets Or Swap Meets, DXing, Emergency Communications/ARES/RACES, Field Day, Giving License Exams, hamfests, Making New Friends, Mobile Or Portable Operating, Nets, Personal Safety, Public Service Or Community Safety, Ragchewing/Casual Operating, Recruiting New Hams, Talking With Friends, Teaching New Hams, and Traffic Handling."

Here is Ron's QRZ.com profile: "First licensed in Michigan as WN8WRT and over the next four years I had four different call signs. Kept WB5FIX for 25 years, before applying for W6KJ, the call of my good friend Russ Hanlon of San Francisco. For over 25 years I served in the USAF, first as a B52 radar navigator (over 5000 hours and about 300 combat missions in SEA) and then in various staff positions. I travelled at government expense to Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Germany, and Panama. I had one tour near our nation's capital, flew on Looking Glass (SAC Airborne Command Post) and finished up at the unit that flys the U-2 and SR-71. After USAF combat crew service, I worked as a substitute teacher for 15 years. I served as ARRL Section Manager in the Sacramento Valley Section (20 counties of Northeastern California) for eight years, three months unitl 1 October 2015. My favorite ham radio activity is rag chewing and helping new hams get on the air. I am currently using software defined radios (K3 and Flex 6300) and a five band four element quad at 50 feet, and 40m and 80m dipoles."

Ron wrote in his ARRL profile: "Ham Radio got my interest in high school. I built two shortwave receivers, Allied and Heathkit, and started learning the code. College intervened, then marriage and the Air Force. My first ticket was WN8WRT. Never have stopped loving ham radio."

Jennifer Hughes NS3O (SK)

Jennifer Hughes NS3O, formerly KJ6YLS, passed away suddenly in her sleep in a Phoenix, AZ hotel room on August 31, 2016. Jennifer was on vacation doing her favorite thing–riding her motorcycle–about to embark on the 3 Flags Classic again, riding all the way from Mexico to Canada. She had just arrived in Phoenix to visit her friend Rebecca following a long motorcycle trip. Her friend found Jennifer had expired in the hotel room bed. She had otherwise been in good health. Besides being an active member of the River City ARCS, attending meetings and participating in our 2 meter, 10 meter and SSTV nets, Jennifer rode with the Capital City Wings, and was also active with the Samuel F. Morse ARC, ARES, SHARP and other groups and served as a Volunteer Instructor and Examiner. A Celebration of Life service was held in Sacramento on September 18, 2016.

Bob Balthrope KD6WTY (SK)

Bob Balthrope, KD6WTY, became a Silent Key on Saturday, December 14, 2019. He passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann KE6EST in 2016.

Bob had been a Life Member of River City ARCS for many years, Treasurer from at least 2002 to 2003, Board member from 2004 through 2011, and also training officer and Volunteer Examiner during those same years. He was also active with the Sierra Foothills ARC and an avid kit builder and enjoyed QRP CW operating as member 11619 of the QRP ARC International.

Both Bob and Mary Anne were instrumental in developing and organizing communications safety systems for the equestrian community, including the Sweep Riders of the Sierra (SOS), the Western States Trail Ride (Tevis Cup), and the Lake Oroville Vista Endurance Ride (LOVER).

Bob had been in a care facility for about the last five years and had not been active in the ham community. But, he will be remembered by many of our older members as a friend and mentor.

Norman Brooks K6FO (SK)

River City ARCS Life member Norm Brooks, K6FO passed away on Tuesday, November 22, 2016. His 100th birthday was on June 1. Among his many accomplishments and interests, Norm earned DX Century Club and Worked All States awards, and operated 160 meters through 70 cm. Norm was a member of ARRL (Life), AMSAT, QCWA, 10-10 International, the Northern California DX Club, the 3905 Century Club, North Hills Radio Club, Mt. Vaca Radio Club and the River City Amateur Radio Communications Society (Life). He was a staff writer for WorldRadio Magazine and was published in QST Magazine.

A Celebration of Life will be planned within the next two months. Norm is survived by his daughter Kaayla Jaret KA6YLA.

Wesley Eugene Bjur N6UD (SK)

Wesley Bjur N6UD became a silent key on March 21, 2013. His wife Dottie had passed away on October 3, 2012. He had belonged to RCARCS for a number of years.

Carl Crump WA6VLS (SK)

Carl Crump WA6VLS a long time member of RCARCS passed away on November 3, 2011. Carl was a 20 year veteran of the US Air Force. He also was active as a VE examiner.

Dale Hankins AD6CT (SK)

Dale became a silent key at the age of 71 early morning on Saturday August 13, 2011. Born on March 1, 1940 in Corpus Christi, TX, Dale was an integral part of the RCARCS for many years acting as a Board Member, and Officer positions including President. Dale was always willing to help with equipment and our thoughts and best wishes are with his wife Kay KF6IZU.

Armond Noble N6WR (SK)

Armond Noble, age 77, passed away on the morning of Wednesday February 1, 2012. He inspired the formation of the River City ARCS, was an Honorary Life Member thereof, and was founding publisher of the monthly WorldRadio magazine in print since July 1971 until acquired in 2008 by CQ Communications when Armond retired. He is survived by his wife Helen Noble. (Photo from 2008 Field Day courtesy of Tony Leneis, N6DXX)

Oran "Bud" Dunham K6ZSV (SK)

12/26/1926 - 7/15/2015 Bud Dunham passed away peacefully in Roseville, CA. with his family at his bedside after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was a devoted and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 65 years Shirley, devoted sons Rick (Tina) and Dan, and grandchildren Eliana Susan and Christian. He was also Lolo to Patrick, Raenalynn, Brandon, Jared, Mikey, and Devon.

Born in Durant, Oklahoma, he relocated with his family to California when he was 15 years old. Bud served his country through both World War II in the Maritime services, and in the US Army in Korea, then worked for PG&E for 46 years until his retirement. Bud was an avid HAM Radio operator (K6ZSV) throughout his adult life (a River City ARCS member through 2010), competed in Rodeo events in his younger years, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and spent several years after retirement shooting in national level competitive Trap and Skeet events throughout the U.S. and Canada. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a Ben Ali Shriner.

Memorial, Military Honors and Interment will be held 8-14-2015, 10:00 AM, at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Rd., Dixon, CA 95620. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Jettie B. Hill W6RFF (SK)

Long-time ARRL Field Organization volunteer Jettie B. Hill, W6RFF, of Roseville, California, died September 21, 2014. He was 93. An ARRL Life Member, Hill served as ARRL Santa Clara Valley Section Communications Manager (later "Section Manager") from 1978 until 1982. He was the ARRL Pacific Division Vice Director in 1982 and 1983. Following his retirement in 1984, he relocated to Roseville and subsequently served as Sacramento Valley Section Manager from 1989 until 2000 and again from 2002 until 2006.