EARL W. KNIGHT - K6EWK (FORMERLY KE6WHH)

A TRUE KNIGHT

Regarding mortality, we all tend to fear it, somewhat. Whether we be common, ordinary, or un-common and extraordinary, the end of what we think is our only claim to existence strikes an all too familiar chord. Another dreaded reminder occurred early Fathers' Day, as husband, father, friend and brother Amateur Radio afficionado Earl Knight departed this mortal realm of existence. Earl leaves behind his beloved wife, Janet, grown children, and grandchildren. Known to fellow Ham Radio operators as K6EWK, Earl was in his third year as the President of the Del Norte Amateur Radio Club (DNARC).

Some of us are blessed with the gift of gab, others with abilities to avoid things too difficult; many un-fulfilled dreams and disappointments. Earl was blessed (and so blessed others) with the gift of DO. He was a true actionary, a motivator, a leader among common folks, a healer, a decision-maker. He would be the first to say he wasn't always right, but he was never too afraid of first making the attempt, and then adjusting to get everything on the right path, if necessary. I know this on a personal level. It was Earl, Ken, Jerry, Eric, Leng, Long, and two missionaries from church who did every ounce of work on erecting a beautiful 72-foot tower in my yard. Earl, even though sick with vertigo so much he couldn't drive, was always up on the tower, directing, tightening, and climbing around like a monkey. He even "capped" it, too! By the way, he dug the holes, poured the concrete, and did the pre-erecting, all this after taking it down from his own property. This was just one of very many projects that required self-sacrifice on his part, with little reward other than a job well done.

Earl had a great deal of love for members of DNARC. Unfortunately, he spent a great deal of time trying to get many of us (guys, not gals) to get off our lazy derrieres. Often he was successful. He had a way to plead without whining, to chide without deriding, to enable without destroying. While it may be plain to some that Earl never enrolled in any public speaking classes, he never had any trouble in getting his thoughts and ideas across. Earl was a true PIE-man. He would propose, implement, execute. All too often, he would go it alone or undertake tasks designed for several people by himself when no one else could or would join him. Earl wouldn't want a criticism of our lethargy to be his legacy. Our Club has lost a mover, a shaker, a builder, a major edifice, an icon. The world has lost an all-around great fellah', a funny, fun-loving individual who wanted you to have as much or more fun than he was having.

On behalf of DNARC and the Amateur Radio community, I would like to thank God that we had Earl as long as we did, and to ask God to bless Janet and their family members with peace and the assurance that Earl is alright, that he waits for them and us to join him, in our own due time.

With deepest affection, my beloved friend and brother - 73. Fred, AD6FC.

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