[Boatanchors] W7BW SK

[Mike Sanders]

It is with great regret that I have to let the list know of the passing of
Phil Rand W7BW of Klamath Falls, OR. Phil was always a Collins and
Boatanchors
in general guy. I think he was still a CCA member at his passing. Phil was
in Hospice care for about 6 months but still managed to make at least one
CW and one PSK contact everyday. His voice was giving way so he used those
modes at the end. Phil loved AM and operated that mode when ever he had the
opportunity.
Phil was an honest hero and National treasure. He flew combat in fighters
during three wars. Born in 1923 he was just a kid when he entered the war.
He became a fighter pilot and spent his time in the South Pacific where he
was once shot down. He was found, picked up and went right back into combat.
During Korea Phil flew combat in our first Jet fighters. Later in Vietnam
he flew combat. His A4 was hit with a SAM during a ground support operation
but he managed to eject. The ejection was not pretty and he suffered many
injuries
to his face and a compressed spine. He ended up on the wrong side and had
to shoot his way out to an Evac chopper. He was patched up and went home for
R&R to see his wife Alice in San Francisco. The first night there they went
to
a nice restaurant for dinner. He wore his dress uniform which his wife told
him
was probably not a good idea. On arrival he was spit on while waiting for a
table.
The person who did that may still be alive because Phil shrugged it off and
went about his business of having dinner with his wife. Phil retired a
Colonel in
the Air Force. An unassuming guy who just did his job.
Even after his passing he is still serving our country. His family is one of
heroes.
Most of his children and some grandchildren have served in the military
including
some more pilots. His youngest son is a three star general who on a previous
assignment as commander of Ballad Air Base in Iraq flew over 100 combat
missions.
After Phil's wife passed he remarried later. Judy made his life wonderful in
his
late years. He said so many times how lucky he had been all his life. She is
a
hero too for taking great care of one of our finest.
I was privileged and honored that this man called me friend.
To say he will be missed is ridiculous. We will hurt. I will miss working
him
on 10 meter AM when the band favored us and our telephone conversations. 73
Phil

Sorry to be so long.

K0AZ Mike Sanders
President Ozark Amateur Radio Society.
Member A1 OP Club, MVDXCC Hogs, Fists,
Coast Guard CW OP Assn, AM Intl, SMIRK.
Life Member American Radio Relay League.
QRP ARCI. "A" Sorter W0 QSL Bureau.