[QCWA Hotlist] 2015-015 - Life Member Charles (Charlie) Hellman, W2RP, Licensed 90 Years

[ve6afo at telus.net]

September 1, 2015

 From QCWA Headquarters

http://www.qcwa.org

QCWA Bulletin 2015-015 - Life Member Charles 
(Charlie) Hellman, W2RP, Licensed 90 Years

On behalf of the QCWA Board of Directors, we wish 
to congratulate QCWA Life Member # 9731 Charles 
(Charlie) Hellman, W2RP, on his 90th Anniversary Award.

Hamming, it up for 90 Years!
Charles "Charlie" Hellman W2RP Licensed since 
1925 Presented with Historic 90th Anniversary 
Award Hastings-on-Hudson, NY (August 31, 2015)

The Quarter Century Wireless Association, Inc. 
(QCWA), an international organization of amateur 
('ham') radio operators---presented a 90 Year 
Continuous Licensed Certificate Award (Serial #1) 
to Charles 'Charlie' Hellman W2RP. Mr. Hellman is 
105 years of age and is among the oldest living 
amateur radio operators in the United States. 
Charlie was licensed in 1925 as a 15 year-old, 
and joined QCWA in 1975 and is also a member of 
local QCWA Chapter 181 (Hudson Valley).

On hand to present the certificate, and represent 
QCWA President Ken Oelke VE6AFO and the 
membership were: Treasurer Charles Tropp N2SO, 
Directors Carole Perry WB2MGP and Pete Varounis 
NL7XM; along with QCWA Chapter 181 Secretary Mike 
Sturm, K2AE. Also on hand for the ceremony was 
Don Finkel, WA2OQM." The certificate reads: "The 
Quarter Century Wireless Association presents 
this 90th Anniversary Award to its Distinguished 
Member Charles 'Charlie' Hellman, W2RP to 
commemorate Ninety Years of Service as a licensed Radio Amateur".

In addition to the certificate, Charlie was also 
presented with a letter from QCWA president Ken 
Oelke VE6AFO which reads in part "I would also 
like to say how proud I am that you have kept 
active for these many years, and to proudly 
celebrate what many will not be able to achieve 
in their entire lifetime. Congratulations to you 
on 90 years as a licensed radio amateur, and may 
you enjoy many more in amateur radio!"

The information pertaining to Charlie was 
discovered when the QCWA Webmaster, Bob Roske 
NØUF, was updating member files and discovered 
that Charlie was still living in New York and was 
certainly the oldest living member of QCWA. In 
recognition of his achievement the QCWA Board of 
Directors quickly voted to award Charlie the 90 
year certificate, a first for the organization.
-30-

Director Carole Perry, WB2MGP, just could not 
contain herself after having attended the 
presentation. After arriving home, she immediately sent me an e-mail.

Hi Ken,
I'm sure you will soon be hearing all about our 
visit this morning to present Charles W2RP with 
the 90 Year Award. I wanted to gush first at you. 
It was one of the most wonderful ham radio 
experiences ever. He was alert, talkative, and 
totally responsive to us. He even got on 2 meters 
and had a QSO with Pete on simplex.

Ken, when he shook my hand and I introduced 
myself, he said "YOU are famous." He then went on 
to tell me he was a physics teacher at the Bronx 
High School of Science and loved teaching too.

This was an experience I will never forget. I now 
feel connected to both ends of the ham radio age 
spectrum. Thanks to all for including me in this.
47 and 73,
Carole WB2MGP

For all comments posted on this presentation, visit QCWA Website;

http://www.qcwa.org/w2rp.htm

About QCWA
The Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) 
is a non-commercial international association of 
radio amateurs organized for the promotion of 
interest in Amateur Radio communication and 
experimentation for the establishment and 
advancement of the radio art and public welfare, 
QCWA was founded December 5, 1947. In order to 
qualify for membership one must have demonstrated 
proof of having been first licensed as an Amateur 
Radio operator at least 25 years prior to 
application for membership and must be currently licensed.

Ken Oelke, VE6AFO
President, Quarter Century Wireless Association, Inc.