In Remembrance
From Joyce Birmingham - KA2ANF
" "There aren’t many Stan’s in the world today” That line was written by
Stan, W2PQG’s daughter, Carol, WB7CUF, and appeared in his Obituary in the
Bergen Record Newspaper last week. Truer words have never been spoken!"
"I was saddened to hear of Stan’s passing on August 18, 2008, as this was
one day shy of another special person in my life birthday – Andy (as well as it would have been our 30th wedding anniversary). It seemed destiny had
intertwined all of our lives for about 20 plus years, when Andy and I both joined the 10-70 Repeater Association in the 80’s, and met Stan for the
very first time. We were in awe of this tall man, with a firm handshake and welcoming smile! Stan stood 6’4, and would have to duck down, when he
entered my basement shack!"
"Stan, Andy and I became fast friends, and it was not surprising that Stan
and Andy would both learn and teach each other different things about Amateur Radio, Computers and ultimately, Repeaters."
"Stan and his lovely wife, Vivian became part of our extended family, especially when Holly and Krista came to know them both, lovingly as Uncle
Stan and Aunt Vivian! Stan always delighted them with his visits to our home, sometimes several times a
week."
"Operating events, like ARRL Field Day contests were always a great time
for Stan, as he could share his knowledge of antennas and radio with all of us. Stan was always there to help the newcomer as well as the seasoned
veteran operator. He was especially valuable around midnight when it came
time to feed the raccoons the leftover Chili or at 5am when he would have a pileup going on 20 meters while the rest of the Field Day Operators
were fast asleep!"
"You could always find Stan ‘on the air’, either on HF where he would have
his Sunday afternoon SKED with his daughter Carol who lived in Arizona or on his daily rounds that he made throughout Bergen County ‘mobile’ talking
on the W2PQG 2-meter repeater! Stan made Amateur Radio enjoyable for all of us. And the man could
literally fix, ANYTHING!"
"Whiskey – Two – Pints – Quarts and Gallons – you will be in our hearts,
forever! We will miss you, my friend, until we see you again! de Joyce
KA2ANF"
From George Sabbi - KC2GLG
"I will always remember his surprise morning visits to the house on Van Emburgh Avenue. From time to time, (he seemed to have an innate sense that the coffee was still hot too) I'd hear his station wagon pulling up on the side street, and shortly after that, I'd hear him tapping with his cane at the porch door. This started after he found out I was here at the house most days and he'd make it a point to stop in every now and then to check on how I was feeling and to share some time and of course, the coffee."
"I will never forget the feelings of privilege and the true warmth in his concerns for my current health situation as well as his sincere desire to keep up on how Joyce, Krista and Holly were doing too. His concerns for others were so freely and openly expressed, and even when his own health was of a concern these last few years, his thoughts for others rose well above his own problems."
From Justin Mattes - KC2GIK
"I'll never forget my first Field Day as a 10-70 member, the smell of hot dogs and hamburgers , the sound of "CQ CQ CQ" flying through the air and the sight of Stan Sears,W2PQG, standing with cane in hand admiring the club he helped establish."
"I remember watching him walk slowly, but with authority, from tent to tent popping his head in giving words of encouragement to every ham, from the newest Tech who just got their license, to the seasoned contesters who just needed to hear the simple but powerful wisdom of W2PQG."
"He then made his way back to the lodge and went for his car. I knew I at least had to say my callsign out loud in front of him, he'd remember it as soon as he said the letters for the first time. So when I extended my hand for the introduction he firmly gripped it and said with his trademark smile, "Nice to meet you". Stan then glanced down at my walker and quickly quipped "You know we HAVE to get you a 2 meter rig for this thing". Noticing how he was studying my walker I could tell he had it all planned out."
"Over the next two days we exchanged kind nods when we passed each other. I knew just by the way he walked around Campgaw, he was a ham everyone respected, and he respected every ham. Stan prided himself on encouraging less experienced hams to learn as much as they could. He could convey his knowledge of ham radio without sounding like he knew it all. The few times I saw him he was always sharing his wisdom and humor. I will always remember everyone had a better appreciation for the hobby of ham radio after meeting Stan, W2PQG, I know I did"
From JoAnn Breuer
"I am the church secretary at the Paramus Congregational Church and Stan would come into the office every morning. He was known as 'Mr. Fix It.' He could repair or fix anything!"
"I remember one morning the copier wasn't working. I said to him "Should I call a repairman?" Of course he said "NO." Well, Stan fixed the copier by replacing the drive belt over the pulleys with a rubber band. A big smile came over his face when the copier was turned on and it worked."
From Robert Chasen - WB2EQO
"I am very sorry to hear of the passing of my mentor in amateur radio. I was a boy of 12 at the time I timidly walked up to Stan and asked about the antennas. Stan guided me from nil knowledge of electronics to a novice class license and then a general class license, 6 months later. Be it a transmitter on the blink or just to "chew the rag," Stan was always there. This silent key will never be silent in my heart."