Posted on 09/17/2004 9:38:04 PM PDT by Denver Ditdat
NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 16, 2004
One of the oldest radio amateurs in the US has become a Silent Key. Michael J. "Mike" Anuta, W8HKY, of Marinette, Wisconsin, died September 9 after suffering a severe stroke a week earlier. He was 103. After leaving school after the eighth grade and working as a Western Union delivery boy and a railroad telegrapher, he went on to study law by correspondence and become an attorney. He retired in 1996 after a 67-year law career in Michigan that included 10 years as prosecuting attorney and 10 years as a municipal judge. Alma College awarded Anuta an honorary Juris Doctor degree in 1959.
"We are deeply saddened to hear of Mike's passing," said Wisconsin Section Manager Don Michalski, W9IXG. "He was truly a fine gentleman, and we'd like to think that Amateur Radio contributed to his long and happy life. He will be missed by the many amateurs he inspired."
First licensed as WN8HKY in 1952 during the early days of the Novice program, Anuta quickly upgraded to General and remained active through the 1970s. His participation in the Hiawatha Weather Net in his early days as a radio amateur sparked his interest in the Civil Air Patrol, and he became a member in 1953. He got his private pilot's license in 1955 and rose to the rank of a CAP lieutenant colonel and a CAP pilot. He also was active through much of his life in the Boy Scouts of America and in Rotary International.
When Anuta moved into a retirement apartment, he sold his Amateur Radio equipment but he kept his ham ticket current. When he read a newspaper account of the 50th anniversary of the Marinette and Menominee Amateur Radio Club in 2000, he decided to get back into ham radio. He rejoined the club, bought a 2-meter hand-held and--until his failing eyesight and hearing prevented him from doing so about a year ago--he regularly checked into the club's Sunday night 2-meter net, often being the first to do so, according to Ed Engleman, KG8CX. Anuta also rejoined the ARRL. In 2001, when he turned 100, the League sent a special greeting to Anuta and congratulated him on attaining centenarian status.
Although well toward middle age when he became licensed, Anuta said he remembered his first encounter with the radio hobby during World War I, when, as a teenager, he erected an "aerial" on the roof of the family's house in Milwaukee and listened to spark gap signals. He's also a certified brass pounder, having worked as a telegrapher, first with Western Union, and later with the Milwaukee and Chicago and Northwestern railroads in Wisconsin in the early 1920s.
A noted local historian, Anuta was the author of several books, the most recent on the history of his father's family, published in 2000. Survivors include Anuta's wife of nearly 83 years, Marianne. A service will be held September 21, 11 AM, at First Presbyterian Church in Menominee.
The family invites memorial contributions to the Presbytery Point Camp, c/o Presbytery Point Board, G. Christopherson, Ishpeming, MI 49849, or to the Bay-Lakes Council, Boy Scouts of America, PO Box 267, Appleton, WI 54912.
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Just goes to show what determination and perseverance can accomplish. What a grand life. There will be no dropped signals from his new vantage point. God Bless Him.
May God bless you and keep you, OM
73 de W4CBL
Survivors include Anuta's wife of nearly 83 years, Marianne.
73, OM de KD7ZLE
Rest in peace and God bless, OM.
73 de NØGZ
Thanks, Neil and Denver...............FRegards
.. Anuta said he remembered his first encounter with the radio hobby during World War I, when, as a teenager, he erected an "aerial" on the roof of the family's house in Milwaukee and listened to spark gap signals.
Most of us start out as SWLs.
73 de KC4YOZ.
Wow. I bet the propagation's pretty good for him right now, any band, any mode...
73 from KC8DQH out.
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