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Allen R. Richter Santa Barbara, CA (born) Davenport, IA (1st license) Ft Monmouth, NJ Burma(1942-45) Richmond, VA Falls Church, VA Singer Island, FL Jupiter, FL Bartlesville, OK Rogers, AR QCWA # 6262 OOTC # 2966 Chapter 111 |
REMEMBERING
Allen Robert Richter
Having known Allen for many years, I and many of us in Jupiter Florida will miss him tremendously.
As the President of the Jupiter Tequesta Repeater Group I can speak for the Group that we have had many positive and memorable experiences with Allen over the many years.
Allen has been a mentor for many Ham Radio operators in our area and had so much to give of himself to all of us.
I am honored to have known Allen and will never forget all of the great leadership skills he provided.
Allen is now in peace and waiting for all of us to see him again in paradise.
May God Bless Allen and his Family always.
Albert "Bert" Moreschi
President of the Jupiter Tequesta Repeater Group
IN THE CARE OF
Rollins Funeral Home
Rogers, AR
479-631-6617
Allen R. Richter, W4PHL was born on June 16, 1916. As a youth, his interest focused on airplanes, with the ambition to learn how to fly. Hanging around the local airport and helping with small chores, Allen was compensated with rides and a chance to handle the controls, eventually to solo in 1932 at the age of 16. At the same time, something unexpected happened in Allen's life.
While experimenting in the garage with a door buzzer, battery and Boy Scout manual, Allen learned that whenever the battery and buzzer were connected, it produced a buzzing sound in the broadcast radio in the house. Soon he was tapping out " SOS " and his name for fun. It wasn't long thereafter that the neighbor across the street appeared. He just got his amateur radio license and heard the buzzing on his receiver. He told Allen that by mastering the code and some radio theory, he could get his license, too. Obviously, Allen's buzzer "rig" radiated well beyond the garage.
It wasn't long before Allen could handle 10 WPM. With the help of a 1930 ARRL Handbook and several local Elmers, he took the Class B exam at the end of 1932, in Davenport, IA. As the visiting RI worked out of the Chicago office, it wasn't until early 1933 that he learned that he passed the theory exam with a score of 87 and was issued the callsign W9JND.
With time and study, Allen passed the First Class Radiotelephone exam, which gave him Class A amateur privileges and eventual employment with broadcast station WOC as chief engineer. Most transmitter engineers were radio amateurs at the time, who followed into commercial radio.
Upon entering military service in 1941, assignment was an issue: Air Corps or Signal Corps. Eventually, the " brass " decided Allen should join the Army Signal Corps and was sent to Ft Monmouth, NJ. Their reasoning was that " it would be easier to train pilots "
Allen remained at Ft Monmouth until February 1942 when he volunteered to be part of a special OSS unit earmarked to operate in the CBI theatre. He walked into Burma in December 1942, established the first command post since the Japanese forced Gen. Stillwell to walk out and served as Signal officer of OSS Detachment 101 until 1945. Allen retired as a Lt Colonel.
Amateur Radio opened some interesting doors and exciting opportunities for Allen: Press Wireless Mfg. Co, in NYC, Robert-Shaw A & I Div. & Singer Co. Electronic Div., both in Washington, DC, Palm Beach County, FL Div. of Emergency Management & the American National Red Cross.
Allen is a Life Member of QCWA, joining in 1969 and is a founding member of the Palm Beach Chapter 111. He also holds memberships in ARRL, OOTC, Potomac Valley Radio Club and a Life Member of the Jupiter-Tequesta Repeater Group. On the aviation side, Allen holds memberships in EAA, AOPA and OX-5 Aviation Pioneers.
Allen is married to Irene, daughter Alexandra and granddaughter Elizabeth. They share time between Jupiter, FL and Bartlesville, OK. He says " I'm too old to fly, however, I'm recognized as being one of the oldest, at 97, to fly a Ford Tri-Motor, yet young enough to maintain and enjoy on the air QSO's with friends, pound brass and travel."
Allen R. Richter was born June 16, 1916 in Davenport, Iowa to August & Elizabeth Hoffmann Richter.
He received his education in the Davenport Public Schools and graduated in 1935.
Following High school Allen attended The First National Radio and Television Institute in Kansas City, MO. He also attended Signal Corp. school and Radio Engineering in Fort Monmouth, N.J.
He entered active military duty in the United States Army in 1941 and accepted a voluntary assignment with the Office of Strategic Services in 1942. He entered Burma in December of 1942 and established the first OSS field base communications headquarters in enemy occupied territory.
Allen was awarded the Bronze Star for his outstanding effort in the Burma Campaign.
After completing his commission with the US Army he worked in Communications and sales for the American National Red Cross and later worked and retired from the Palm Beach Emergency Services in Palm Beach county Florida.
His hobbies included Hamm Radio communications, flying and photography.
He was President of the OSS 101 Association and remained an active member as one of the last living original 21 of 101 Association until his death April 9th, 2019.
Allen known to many friends and family as "Rick" was preceded in death by his parents, August & Elizabeth Richter, one brother Eugene Richter and his previous spouse Joy Richter.
He is survived by his widow the love of his life, Irene E. Richter and his faithful pet Killie. Rogers, AR.
One daughter Alexandra VanKeuren and husband Billy of Tequesta, FL. one Grand-daughter Elizabeth VanKeruen of Tequesta, FL. Two Step-Sons, Alvin Stillwell of Nampa, ID. and David Stillwell of Stigler, Okla. And one Step-daughter Treva Wood and husband Virgil of Rogers, AR. Along with many step-grandchildren and great grand-children, as well as a host of family and friends.
With his passing we have lost a true American hero, Allen served his God, country and family with all of his heart and soul and he was proud to be an American!
His memory will remain forever in our hearts.
A memorial service for Lt. Col. Allen R. Richter will be held May 10th, 2019 at approximately 12:00noon, at The Eastside Assembly of God 9559 Hwy. 72 East, Bentonville, AR. 72712. Interment will follow at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, AR.
In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to: Hope Cancer Resources, 5835 W. Sunset Ave., Springdale, AR. 72762, Eastside Assembly of God, 9559 Hwy. 72East, Bentonville, AR. 72712 *Children's playground fund or Bartlesville SPCA, 16620 OK-123, Dewey, OK. 74029
Published in Examiner-Enterprise from May 8 to June 7, 2019
At the February 2014 meeting of the Palm Beach Chapter, Allen received the QCWA 80 year service award
from Chapter President Tom Thompson, W2TMT and National Director Jeff Beals, WA4AW.
Bert, AG4BV, JTRG President presents a Lifetime CLub Membership to Allen, W4PHL