I think of Fair closing a little differently, it is rare for the next generation of children to take over a business, let alone make it successful. We were fortunate that Phil and George perpetuated the business, George passed away in the late '90's and Phil continued the business. I grew up in Lima, a good part of the development of my life long love of electronics was fulfilled by Phil's dad providing me surplus stuff. Phil has been one of my best life long friends! Its time for him to enjoy his life and not have the obligation of his business.
Dave is spot on, it is a hobby for old men ... and I believe we will loose our bands over time. If you have not noticed the current administration wants to take everything that makes us self sufficient away or make it illegal. The latest example is gas generators, we live on the gulf coast All of this really really scares me!
We were all fortunate to have piles of surplus from world war II at prices we could afford. When we grew up electronics were the vogue, just as 10 years later computers became popular. We tore things apart to understand how they worked, out of nine grandkids and I only have one with that kind of curiosity. At 74 I still have that curiosity! Is it our educational system or our society in general? It is hard for me to say, although I mentor a young man who came to America when he was 12 years old, he immigrated from Poland. He is now on his second year of college. He is like a sponge the more I provide the more he wants to know. I have loaded him up with parts and test equipment, he is a great kid.
As amateur radio builders and fixers we have a depth and breadth of knowledge that does not exist in our society anymore. It is a sad state of affairs ... just my rant, 73, tom, N3LLL