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Henry L. 'Lee' Koenig Lucas, OH FISTS # 10010 QCWA # 35657 Chapter 117 |
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Henry Lee Koenig, 80 years young, left his earthly home on Monday, April 1, 2019, surrounded by his wife and children. He was a devoted husband and father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and dear friend. Most importantly to Henry, he was a child of God.
Henry was born on October 13, 1938 in Barberton, Ohio. He graduated from Wadsworth High School in 1956. Soon after, he enlisted in the Army Reserves and served our country for four years. His faithful service continued with an additional four years in the United States Air Force. In 1961, he married the love of his life, Barbara. With his military duty fulfilled in 1965, he moved his family to Mansfield, Ohio, where he began his lifelong career as a communications technician for Ohio Bell, and later AT&T, and retired in 1999 after 34 years of employment.
A man of devout faith, Henry practiced Christian Science since his early adult years. He was a member of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, where he was a reader and a member of the board. To the very end, he lived his life in a manner in which would be the purest example of God's love. The kindness he gave to those he loved and complete strangers alike, was testament to his unwavering belief that the best way to share his faith was to lead by example, and to follow the Golden Rule of Do Unto Others.
Known as WD8Q to many, Henry was a ham radio operator, and immersed himself in the world of radio and electronic communications. He was a member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), a certified volunteer examiner for ARRL, active board member of the Intercity Amateur Radio Club, (IARC), 1986 IARC Ham of the Year, IARC Code and Theory instructor, Buckeye Slow Net net manager, member of FISTS-International Morse Preservation Society, member of Ohio Single Sideband Net, member of Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA), which requires 25 years or more as an active ham. He was an active and enthusiastic participant in yearly IARC Field Days and also with the local Hamfests.
Henry is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara (nee`, Chesser); a sister, Carol Stone; two sons, Scott (Keiko) Koenig, Darrell (Donna) Koenig; a daughter, Lisa (Dale) Stevens; grandsons, Jamie Koenig, Ehrin (Rebecca) Koenig, Joe Murayama, and Tanner Stevens; granddaughter, Alissa Tolliver; great-granddaughter, Lilly; and many dear nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Emma Koenig; and ten siblings: Gertrude, Beverly, Aletha, Louise, Doris (Maxine), Harold, Keith, Betty, Audrey, and Donald.
Henry's final interment at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio, will be announced at a later date.
The family would like to sincerely thank the team from OhioHealth Hospice-Mansfield.
The Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors is privileged to serve the family.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the family at www.wappner.com
Published in the News Journal on Apr. 3, 2019
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mansfieldnewsjournal/obituary.aspx?n=henry-lee-koenig&pid=192055539&fhid=22471
From: qrz.com
Was licensed in August of 1980 as KA8KXE. Been interested in ham radio much longer (1958). Learned the code at Hickam AFB Hawaii in 1962 at the base MARS station. Like riding a bicycle, never forgot it. Took less than 3 weeks to get up to 7-8 WPM in 1980. LOVE CW. My motto is: "Anyone can talk. With a little effort you can learn and use Morse Code". Gear owned.....not much.......Kenwood TS-520S, Ten-Tec Jupiter, Yaesu VX-5, and ICOM 02-AT. Antenna....180 foot dipole fed with 450 ohm ladder line. Earned Extra Class in 1986....talk about nervous....20 WPM for six straight minutes....still don't know on what terms I passed....never asked. Changed call later that year to WD8Q. Today I'm very comfortable with 20 WPM.
After four years in the USAF, got employed in 1965 with the telephone industry, Ohio Bell Telephone and when the Bell System broke up in 1984, went to AT&T. Retired with 34 years service in July of 1999.
I've been doing Volunteer Examiner work since 1984 as a member of IARC in Mansfield OH. ARRL member since 1981.
Have three grown children; Scott ,living in Japan with wife and child. Scott living in Japan teaches english at a middle school. He is married and has a son. Darrell ,lives in Abu Dhabi UAE and is a captain flying Boeing 777's and soon Boeing 787's with Etihad Airlines. Lisa who lives nearby with her husband and two kids. Lisa is a pretty good photographer and is turning professional.
Been happily married for 53 years to Barbara.....don't think she'll ever be licensed.
After being off the air for a number of years started listening to the Ohio Slow Net (CW) after putting up antenna in Dec 2002. Am a graduate of Maryland Slow Net training class. A great bunch of folks. Became Ohio Slow Net (OSN) manager in April of 2004 and setpping down the end of 2014. Operate in HBSN, HBN, BN, 8RN, EAN and OSSBN handling traffic.
If you haven't really gotten involved with CW operation. Join FISTS and get a "Code Buddy". They will work with you at any speed. After being licensed for nearly 34 years at this writing, I can't believe how my CW recieving quality has improved after being involved in regular nets.
Folks, please don't let CW die. Once you get used to it, you'll love it. It is a part of our amateur radio history and almost the only thing left in amateur radio that is a acquired skill. It's my 'foreign language'.
