N8DMJ - July 26, 2011
Richard G. 'Dick' Alexe
Tustin, MI

QCWA #33980
Chapter 10

Electronics Enthusiast and all round creative engineer.

Master of Product Development from Northwestern University, McCormick, June 2004. BSEE from Michigan State University. Strong focus on RF, electronics, and product development.

Interests: Exploring local bicycle trails with my family, reading management books and implementing new leadership concepts in my organization, sports (golf and tennis), Amateur Radio (Extra Class: N8DMT) with interest in HF/VHF/UHF antennas, radio design and evaluation in home laboratory, RF test equipment usage and repair, and personal computer programming (LabVIEW, and assembly language for the 68HC11 and 6805 microprocessors). Example of a home construction project was a "public service" project for the Cub Scouts using a 68HC11 to declare and display finish order at the end of a six lane Pinewood Derby race track. (Fun and it worked great!) Currently starting a GPS based frequency standard project targeting 10E-11 accuracy with a less than $200 cost component set. Also currently learning more about Analog Devices and Motorola DSP systems while developing an audio processing filter project to reduce random noise and correlated interference in a short-wave receiver's audio.

I am sending this notification of the death of Dick Alexa, N8DMJ. (QCWA #39980)

Dick joined QCWA and Chapter 10 in 2007. He will be missed.

RICHARD GENE ALEXA

CADILLAC - Richard Gene Alexa, of Tustin, died Tuesday morning, July 26, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family. He was 68.

He was born on December 10, 1942 in Crystal Falls, Mich., and he graduated from Dexter High School in 1961. He married the former Maxine L. Hudkins on September 21, 1968 in Ann Arbor, and she preceded him in death on September 17, 2010.

He served in the United States Air Force from 1961 until 1967; he then was employed as a manager for Kroger, was a patrol officer for the Dexter Police Department and deputy for the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department. Later, he went to work for the University of Michigan as an accident investigator and retired as the manager of technical services for the law firm of Joscelyn & Treat in Ann Arbor.

After he retired, Dick was the owner/operator of Alexa's Small Engine Repair and moved to the Tustin area in 1999. He enjoyed working in his yard and snowmobiling, grooming trails and was an active member/officer of the Cadillac Winter Warriors and Cadillac Winter Promotions. He took great joy in the time he spent with his only granddaughter, Murphy Reece Alexa, and grandsons, Branden and Christopher Holmen, and was very dedicated to his family.

Survivors include his son, Marc A. Alexa (Cheryl Holmen), of Manton; granddaughter, Murphy Reece Alexa; grandsons, Branden and Christopher Holmen, all of Manton; his mother, Leona M. Toon, of Dexter; brother, Charles D. Thurston, of Dexter; sisters-in-law, Margaret (Duane) McCann of Leslie, Marcia (Robert) Bunney of Manchester, Marlene Lloyd of Saline, Mary Jean Brady of Manchester and Malinda Hudkins of Holt; and two nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert and Henry Thurston.

Memorial services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 30, 2011, at the Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac, with Chaplain Pam Wizner officiating. Friends may meet the family from 1:30 p.m. until time of services Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Secretary Chapter 10,
Jim Bishop, W8JFB