[QCWA] W3TDF SK

[TwelveVDC at aol.com]

It is my sad duty to report that Ray Bilger / W3TDF became a Silent Key this morning at 91 years of age.

The end came peacefully while surrounded by a cadre of loving family members taking turns caring for Ray over these past many weeks while under acute hospice care.

Ray's operating and contest skills, salty humor and wit, as well as his decades of Membership in the Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club, The Quarter Century Wireless Association, The Radio Club Of America, and legendary record-breaking performances in the PAQSO Party, will be long remembered by hundreds of friends whose lives were improved for having known him.

Ray was President of Chapter 17 (EPA) Allentown/Bethlehem for many years, and was currently serving as its VP. Ray operated in the PAQSO Party just this October, and was still making new 2m EME JT65 contacts in December.

He was humbled by the wonderful publicity regarded him published in the August 2015 issue of CQ Magazine on pages 22 - 28.

It was my honor to be among those who learned a thing or two from "da Grump."

Tentative arrangements are scheduled for Monday evening at Naugle F/H in Quakertown from 6-8pm.

With a heavy heart,
de Pete / NL7XM 
SK