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Paul L. Phelps Point Reyes Station, CA QCWA # 31408 |
I regretfully have to announce the passing of my grandfather Paul Phelps, KF6RXB. Paul(Pa) was a lifelong radio operator and passed the hobby on to his son Greg(KL3JZ) and grandson Joseph(KL3JY). He will be surely missed by all amateur radio operators who had the privilege of making contact with him.
R.I.P KF6RXB SK.
Paul L. Phelps, Jr.
Paul "Pa" Phelps passed away peacefully on October 30, 2019 at his home in Inverness, California, surrounded by his family.
Paul is survived by Lucille Eymann Phelps, his beloved wife of 66 years, and his four children: Chris (Maria), Mary (John), Anne (Rocky) and Gregory (Julie), 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Pauline Brisbin and Janet Wiegmann.
Paul was born on March 2, 1932 in Glendale, California to Paul L. Phelps, Sr. and Julia Paparone. He graduated from Fremont High School, where he met Lucille, his high school sweetheart and lifelong love. Paul served as a communications chief in the US Army in the Korean theatre from 1950 to 1953, after which he was honorably discharged. Lucille and Paul were married in Los Angeles, California on March 8, 1953. One week later, he started his electrical engineering curriculum at California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo. Upon graduation, Paul and Lucille welcomed their first child, Christopher Paul and soon after were blessed with daughters, Mary Lucille and Anne Therese and son, Gregory Lawrence.
Paul began his 34 year career at the Lawrence Laboratory in Livermore California where he was engaged in research involving radionuclides in the environment, biomedical engineering and geothermal energy. He was awarded a US Patent for a device he invented in 1960 and there is a grant for continuing education, from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, dedicated to him. Paul was a fellow of the Nuclear & Plasma Sciences Society.
Paul and Lucille were active members of St. Michael's Catholic Parish, where all their children attended elementary school. Paul served as a Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus. He was a Sierra Club member and organized a number of epic family backpacking trips, enjoyed cycling, auto mechanics and repairing everything that came his way and keeping the thermostat at 58 degrees, no matter what.
One of Paul's most passionate hobbies was amateur (Ham) radio. He spent many engaging hours in his radio room, communicating with other ham operators around the world. He also enjoyed teaching classes locally. His call sign, KF6RXB is now a Silent Key" and was known by anyone in the ionosphere who had the privilege to make a contact with him as an exquisite operator.
Paul and Lucille retired to Inverness, California in 1993, where they built their dream home overlooking Tamales Bay, with their son, Greg. As faithful members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Olema, they participated fully in parish spiritual and social life.
Paul was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. It was not unusual for him to call family members daily, especially his sisters. He had a wry sense of humor, loved entertaining friends and colleagues and telling stories. Paul often expressed, with deep satisfaction, how proud he was of his beautiful family.
The family would like to offer heartfelt gratitude to Continuum Care Hospice, Marin Senior Service and Paul's expert caretaker, Lee Tawalo.
[A funeral Mass will be held in March at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Olema, California.]