[Scan-DC] Radio Scanner Legend Dies

[John Bacon]

Here is his obituary as published in the LA Times:


COSTIN, Gene Born in Louisville, KY November 25, 1927. Gene Costin moved
with his parents at the age of 12 to Los Angeles and loved this community.
He lived a full and accomplished life. As a young man Gene developed
interests in politics and astronomy and closely followed developments in
both areas throughout his life. He was a passionate civil libertarian and
supporter of many liberal causes and other charities. He was well known in
the two-way radio communications business and renowned to radio hobbyists
nationwide for Police Call, which he published under the name Gene C.
Hughes. 
After retirement he served long hours as a volunteer at the LAPD, for which
he received a Volunteer of the Year award from the State of California. He
was loved and will be missed by a wonderful family-  his devoted wife Mitzi,
three children, and their spouses-Cathy Costin (Mitchell Reback), Robert
Costin (Yves Yarborox), and John Costin (Rachel Phipps). He was proud of his
four grandchildren, Isaac Reback, Mia Reback, Silas Phipps-Costin, and Judah
Phipps- Costin, and he adored his dog Murray. In lieu of flowers,
contributions may be made to Tower Cancer Research Foundation or a charity
of your choice. Services will be private at Gene's request.
Published in the Los Angeles Times on 8/3/2008

-----Original Message-----
From: scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Kenneth Fowler
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 1:11 AM
To: Scan-DC; SCAN-L Listserv
Subject: [Scan-DC] Radio Scanner lLegend Dies

Radio Scanner Legend Dies
Monday, August 4 2008
Rarely does a single person have the opportunity to have so much
impact on one industry, but Gene Costin did. He became a scanner
enthusiast in 1940, listening to 155.55 MHz along the coast north of
Los Angeles as a teen. He began collecting names, frequencies and
other information that he thought was interesting. Then in 1964, he
published and sold a printed edition of his collection, "Police Call."
The paperback book became the Bible for scanner enthusiasts all across
the country, and for over 40 years the guide was sold in Radio Shack
and other stores. Gene Costin died last week at 81. Costin was also a
10-year volunteer for the Los Angeles Police Department. Read a 2005
Wired story about him here
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