WØAUS - September 17, 2008

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Robert E. 'Bob' Wesslund Arden Hills, MN Born 1927 QCWA # 10921 Chapter 8 A-1 Operators Club

Robert Evan Wesslund
Wesslund, Robert Evan 81 years old, died Wednesday, September 17, 2008 in Arlington Heights, IL from colon cancer. Bob was born in Omaha, NE to Elaine & Martin Wesslund. He lived most of his adult life in Minnesota.

Since April, he lived at the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights, with his wife of 56 years, Mary Margaret (nee Ries).

He served in the Navy during World War II as an assistant electrician. He earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in 1950. He married Margaret November 24, 1951 in Battle Creek, NE. They moved to St. Paul, where he worked for Engineering Research Associates, which later became part of the Univac Division of the Sperry Rand Corporation.

In 1960, he began a 26 year career with Control Data Corp., starting as a senior engineer. His titles included vice president in a variety of sections before retiring as vice president for technology exchange. He was an avid ham radio operator, call letters WØAUS. After retirement, Bob's electronics pastime grew into consulting work, including involvement with Mobile Radio, which provided business radio communications systems.

As part of his amateur radio activities, he became one of the leading members of the Northern Lights Radio Society.

Bob is survived by his wife, Margaret; brother, Bill (Ida); children, Paul (Debbie), Eileen (Bill) Beran, Ann (Steve) Lahm, Barbara (Greg) Dunn, and Col. Jim USAF (Becky); grandchildren, Emma, Sam, Lauren, Barret, Mitchell, Megan, Joe, Charlie, Annie, Molly & Evan. Bob is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; son, Donald; granddaughter, Sarah Lahm; father & mother-in-law, Jack (Dolores) Ries; and brother & sister-in-law, Jack (Virginia) Ries. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Tuesday, September 23 at THE CHURCH OF ST. ODILIA, 3495 N. Victoria St., Shoreview.

Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation at MUELLER-BIES FUNERAL HOME - ROSEVILLE, 2130 N. Dale St. at County Rd B from 5 - 8 PM Monday, and at the church from 10 - 11 AM Tuesday.

His family thanks the staff of the Lutheran Home and Heartland Home Health Care & Hospice of Palantine, IL for their help and support during Bob's illness. We also thank the Northern Lights Radio Society for their friendship with Bob and their generous assistance with his electronics equipment. His family especially thanks Barbara & Greg Dunn and family for their care of Bob & Margaret.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to donor's choice. MUELLER-BIES 651-487-2550

September 22, 2008
I felt a sense of loss and sadness today at hearing the news that Bob had passed away. He was my Elmer and my first QSO in 1967 after getting my ticket as wa0rse. It all started when, as a Cub Scout, I was invited over to Bob's for an "introduction to ham radio". (His son, Paul, was in our Cub Scout group.) What he showed us was a wonderland, mysterious but tractable if one was willing to put in the time. The Central Electronics 100-V, 75A-4, ASR RTTY, and remote antenna tuner for his 160m dipole were all there, alive in his hands, doing his bidding. And it was fun! Bob always *enjoyed* the puzzles he found in ham radio.

I went off to college, married, and started a family and ran into him once or twice at a talk he'd give about a radio project he'd been working on. For some reason I believed he had moved or passed away in the 1980's sometime (go figure!) but there one day, behind a swap table at a Hamfest, was Bob! We renewed our friendship and I visited his home QTH a number of times, had my first 10G contact with him up his driveway, and helped out on the NLRS antenna range (when I could keep up with him!)

He inspired me to a continuing interest in ham radio and a career in science and engineering. I owe much of what I've done over my lifetime in those technical areas to his generosity to a group of Cub Scouts so long ago. I know many of you have benefited from Bob's generosity over the years. His spirit has energized NLRS and others for so long that independent "spark gaps" have been able to find the energy to keep on going. What a legacy! I, like many, will miss him but will see his work all around the Twin Cities ham radio community.
--Paul, WAØRSE
Paul Beckmann,
Mendota Heights, Minnesota

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I also knew Bob from Ham Radio get togethers. He was a great person to know. He always wanted to help anyone that need help with an antenna or radio. He will be missed. Old ham's never die. They just QSY to a better place.
George Lavallee NØSBU.
Hugo, Minnesota

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I am not sure how long I have known Bob, but I have always seen him as energetic, caring, intelligent, sharing....and a really good friend to all he knew. He will be remembered for a long time as a really good man.
Barry Malowanchuk VE4MA (Winnipeg, MB)

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I worked for Bob for at least 5 years. When we had problems he was always there. He gave my son a job at Marlin Marine when our Son needed help. I was a fellow Ham and we had many good times and foreign trips together.
DEWEY Thoms KØBYX (Burnsville, MN)

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Bob received his was first amateur (Ham) radio license in 1947, joined the Quarter Century Wireless Association in 1976 and was a member of QCWA Upper Midwest Chapter 8 in the Twin Cities. The members of Chapter 8 extend our heart felt condolences to his family. 73,
Bob Roske, NØUF - Secretary, Upper Midwest Chapter 8

Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 8:32 PM
Subject: WØAUS SK

Bob,

I managed to give Bob Wesslund WØAUS his 60 year QCWA Certificate about a month and a half ago, and I was notified today by his daughter of his passing. Bob died from Cancer in a nursing home in Illinois. Funeral arrangements are not available at this time, but burial will be here in Minnesota. See you on Saturday.
73's
Dick Philstrom WØTLE

Northern Lights Radio Society - extract of the minutes of April 24, 2004.

Special Presentation: Lenny (KØSHF) presented the NLRS Robert Wesslund Award to Bob Wesslund (WØAUS), to a standing ovation from the club. This new award will be presented each year to a member of NLRS.

The award reads:
"The Wesslund Award honors Robert (Bob) Wesslund, WØAUS, for his many years of significant contributions to the Northern Lights Radio Society and for his continuous work with mentoring others in the World Above 50 MHz. This award is presented annually to recognize those Northern Lights Radio Society members who have assisted others in gaining knowledge and access to the bands above 50 MHz."