It was a difficult email to read last night when I learned that Tad, WF4W, passed away. He was in the hospital experiencing heart related issues and was expecting possible heart surgery any day. His family was keeping the local clubs up to date on his progress and had the difficult task of sharing the news of his unfortunate passing.
I hadn’t known Tad very long. We had talked over the club repeater occasionally during the morning and afternoon commutes. At the January club meeting, he had shared about his 2013 Dxpedition to Mozambique (C28DX). He recently moved to Hillsboro Georgia where he erected a 76′ tower in February 2014 with plans of a second in the future. He received his DXCC honor roll in early 2013 and just confirmed his 333rd DX entity with Amsterdam Island (FT5ZM). It was very obvious that he was passionate about the hobby.
The Chairman of the KARC distributed the following statement:
Kennehoochee and the Georgia radio amateur community lost one of its brightest stars yesterday, from heart related issues. Tad Williamson, WF4W, was a long time member of KARC and a treasured part of our club. The same may be said of several area clubs where he shared his knowledge and friendship. We extend our thoughts and prayers to Tad’s family and friends for their very personal loss. Let us be mindful to celebrate all the joyful things he did for family and friends. Tad’s love of life and learning also affected an immeasurable number of radio friends in positive ways at every encounter. His amateur radio associates gained so much from his unique and polished skills in our hobby. He entertained us with his words, and he taught us by his remarkable participation in field activities where we watched and learned.
And the SEDX club also posted this statement on their website:
It’s with great sadness we report the loss today (May 15th) of Tad Williamson WF4W. Tad was member of the Southeastern DX Club for almost 30 years. Today we have lost a wonderful brother from our ham radio fraternity. Tad always contributed to the excitement of our hobby and was a joy to be with whether operating contests, Field Day, hamfests and club meetings.
Just watching the emails come across the reflector, a repetitive thread in just about every submission states how good of a friend his was to all who knew him. He will definitely be missed. Born in 1958, his passing is just too soon!
This is yet another reminder of just how fragile life is. Life has an expiration date that is not printed on the label. James 14:4 reminds us “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”
RIP Tad. 73