[OMIK] Silent Key - Wally, WA3RWP

[Omik Radio]

Submitted by Matt Blanding, K4FNX

Sad to report long time ham operator, Walter "Wally" Frank became a silent
key on June 30, 2025. Wally was an early member of OMIK. He is survived by
his wife Cynthia Frank, K4CEF, and son Rodney Frank, KA3OZF. The funeral
was held on July 12, 2025 in Upper Marlboro, MD. His obituary can be found
at www.bucktroutfuneralhome.net
<https://www.bing.com/alink/link?url=https://www.bucktroutfuneralhome.net/&source=serp-local&h=Uf8oYzLr3asiuvYjJmS7O3HING0NhFZUyFoKAufQKLU=&p=lw_magsmlt&ig=BE8EFCB875A14CBE800A3963E64E6A24&ypid=YN896x15490709>



Walter "Wally" Frank Obituary

Walter Wayne Frank, affectionately known as “Wally”, was born in New York
City on August 22, 1948, to Millard Walter Filmore Frank and Myrtle G.
(Saunders) Frank. He attended New York City Public Schools and graduated
from Dewitt Clinton High School. Upon his graduation from High School, he
went on to study at the RCA Institute in New York City. Upon his completion
of classes at RCA, Wally went on to work for the Federal Government. He
purposely went for positions whereby he would be exempt from going off to
fight in the Vietnam War, but life took an unexpected twist.

Wally was drafted by the United States Marine Corp and served until he was
Honorably Discharged on June 16, 1975. Serving in the Navy’s Military
Auxiliary Radio System (MARS), using his knowledge of computers,
telecommunications, electronics, and radio communications, Wally played a
pivotal role with the Marine Corps as a lifeline between the service
members in Vietnam and their families at home. Upon his discharge from the
Marine Corp, Wally went on to continue his Federal Service.

Wally worked for the Department of Defense as a Systems Engineer and
retired from the National Security Agency (NSA) after 40 years of federal
service on February 2, 2007. He received an award for outstanding
contributions, achievements, and dedication to the United States
Cryptologic effort from July 1999 through February 2007. He also received
the Director, National Security Agency and Chief, Central Security Service
Director’s Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of exceptional
distinguished service, unsurpassed leadership, and support to the NSA
mission presented on February 1, 2007. This award has been received by only
a few NSA employees.

Wally Frank, WA3RWP, has a long history of involvement with Amateur Radio
(nicknamed Ham Radio). Wally became an Amateur Radio Operator (HAM) in 1964
when he received his Technician License as WB2OVV in New York City. He held
an FCC amateur radio license for over 61 years, to include the highest
level amateur Extra Class license which he earned in March 1985. Wally has
a long history of giving back through Amateur Radio. Wally has helped new
Hams in so many ways that they can’t all be listed here. Wally has always
been involved in his community’s Emergency Preparedness Programs and the
best example is James City County’s Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT). His success with training the CERT members to become Licensed Hams
led him to volunteering as the Williamsburg Area Amateur Radio Club’s
(WAARC) Training Coordinator. His creative instructional approaches, and
his hands-on approach to explaining the systems, ensured all students
passed their exam. And, after his students got licensed, he followed
through with helping them get on the air, selecting equipment to accomplish
their goals, and setting up their radio stations.

In his early years, Wally was very active in Ham groups in the Maryland
area. He was a member of the OMIK Electronics Association. Black Hams from
the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky formed OMIK because
membership in many Ham organizations was denied to black Hams. This need
was identified by the OMIK Association and continued to be an important
aspect of the clubs Wally associated with. Wally was also one of the
earliest members of the Green Mountain Repeater Association. He was
instrumental in helping to install the repeater in Maryland. Wally was a
Life Member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). ARRL is the national
association for Ham Radio.

One thing Wally was quite proud of was his relationship with Jesus Christ.
Wally was saved and spent many years in service in various roles in various
churches. At Riverdale Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Wally
served as a Trustee and First Grade Boys’ Sunday School Teacher. At New
Life Assembly in Capitol Heights, Maryland, Wally served as a Deacon and
was responsible for leading the team that was responsible for finding a
replacement for the retired founder of that church, while continuing to
keep the church viable and operating successfully. Most recently, at James
City Community Church (JC3) in Williamsburg, Virginia, Wally served as a
member of the Finance Team. He also set up a remote-controlled car station
for the church and community kids during the annual Spring Flings and Fall
Festivals. The kids loved the activity and challenges. In February 2025,
Wally won the 2025 Chili Bowl Cook Off at JC3. He proudly displayed the
beautiful first place champion ring that he won on his desk in his Ham
Shack.

Wally’s family and many friends love him and will greatly miss him. He
leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Cynthia Frank; his son and
daughter-in-law Rodney and Angela Frank; grandchildren Alexis, William,
Brianna, Taylor and Christian; brother-in-law and his wife Jermerial and
Charlene Edmonds, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as
a large number of friends