[QCWA Hotlist] My friend Edmund B. Redington, Jr. W3NZ, SK

[Vic Culver]

Sadly I recently learned of the passing of my old friend Ed B. 
Redington, Jr. of Wilmington, NC in November of this year.  Ed Jr. was 
most recently a member of QCWA Chapter 119.

I first met Ed Jr. when were enlisted men in the USMCR Marine Air 
Control unit at Anacostia NAS, Washington, DC in the late 1950s.We both 
lived Fairfax County.

My late father, Leland W. Smith, W5KL (ex-W4YE, W4AGI, K6CN) encouraged 
Ed Jr. to pursue a ham radio license and to also consider joining the 
Marine Corps Reserve.My father and Ed Sr., W4ZM, were close friends also.

Later, Ed Jr. served 30 years in theU.S. Coast Guard and was a career AT 
and T employee.

In our earlier days, he was not licensed but was curious about my ham 
radio interest as well as through the strong influence of his father, E. 
B. Redington (Red), W4ZM).

It was great news when Ed Jr. obtained hisfirst license around 1975.

Ed Jr. served as a groomsman at my wedding to Sarah in July of 1963.We 
kept in touch over the years and worked each other on 75 SSB 
occasionally.His interest was mainly phone operation.His amateur calls 
were WB4JHN, N4AGS, W4EBR, N4CER and lastly W3NZ.

When he lived in Richmond I met him a few times at the hamfests.His wit, 
enthusiasm and easy going manner made him an instant friend.Amateur 
radio was important to him.

His father, W4ZM, was an early pioneer in ham radio and we also were 
good friends over many years.Ed Sr. was first licensed in 1915 as "spark 
operator" 8AQM in WNY.Ed Sr. and I served as fellow officers of PVRC and 
QCWA Ch. 91.Many of us remember his entertaining spark transmitter 
demonstrations!He was a fascinating and brilliant man. His service 
included both USN and USCG as an officer and, he later worked 
extensively in electronics.Like his son, the "OM" was a wonderful and 
kind gentleman. We both served in an ARRL Wouff Hong induction 
ceremony... he appropriately played the role of TOM (The old man).

Fond memories remain of the many good times with both Ed Sr. and Ed Jr.

73, Leland W. Smith, Jr. " Buddy", W4YE