Anton "Obie" Obermann, 78, of Westerly and Clearwater, FL, died Oct. 8, 2008, peacefully at his Westerly residence surrounded by his family.

Born in Westerly June 29, 1930, he was the son of the late Anton and Marion (Buck) Obermann. He was the husband of Phyllis (Ahern) Obermann for 51 years.

He will be sadly missed by his beloved wife and children, Gail Scott, of Blackville, SC, Jill Obermann of Barnwell, SC, Paul and Carol Obermann of Westerly; two sisters, Florence Cross (166809018) of Midlothian, VA, and Beryl Stephens of Wallingford, PA; five grandchildren, Jason Obermann of Blackville, Melissa Pike of Newport, Andrew Obermann of Barnwell, and Ellen and Hunter Obermann of Westerly; and one great-grandchild, Macy Obermann of Blackville.

A graduate of Ward Senior High class of 1948, and postgraduate schools in Dayton, OH, and Lynchburg, VA, he had extensive training and certification in marine navigation in Egersond, Norway.

Mr. Obermann was in Westerly's 705th AAA Gun Battalion Battery D (1947-1949). He was a US Air Force veteran serving during the Korean Conflict on Okinawa, Japan (1951-1955). After his military duties, Mr. Obermann was acting director officer of radio communications of the RACES control center for Westerly Civil Defense Station (1958-1975). He was successful in appropriating federal funds for Civil Defense Communications equipment for operations during emergencies to better serve Westerly and surroundings communities.

He had been an amateur (HAM) radio operator since 1954. His call letters were W1ESK, and he was still active until his passing. He was a member of the American Radio Relay League.

Mr. Obermann was retired from the marine electronic business Navtronics, Inc. He owned and operated the business 43 years in Westerly with branch offices and shops in Newport and Waterford He also held a private pilot's license for over 20 years. He was an avid yachtsman and won several awards in his youth for sailboat racing at the Westerly Yacht Club and Wetauqua Corinthian Yacht Club on Martha's Vineyard, MA.

Mr. Obermann was a member of the Second Baptist Church, was chairman of the Deacon Board and served on the Spiritual Advisory Committee. He sang bass in the church choir and in a men's quartet. He loved music and played the organ as a hobby. For many years, he was the church treasurer and served as an advisor on the steering committee for the North Stonington Christian Academy accreditation. He also operated and repaired the sound and recording booth equipment for the church services.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, Oct. 12, from 3 to 6 pm at the Buckler-Johnson Funeral Home, 121 Main St., Westerly. Funeral service will be held Monday at 11 am, Oct. 13, in the Second Baptist Church sanctuary, 12 Stillman Road, North Stonington. Interment at Union Cemetery, adjacent to the churchyard. There will be a buffet lunch immediately following the burial in the church dining hall, Taylor Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Second Baptist Church for sound booth renovations and upgrades to the equipment.

For on-line condolences and shared memories, visit www.buckler-johnston.com.

Published in The Westerly Sun on Oct. 10, 2008