This is a SK report of a friend, Robert (Bob) Taylor, W1CE, formerly NA1Q.
Bob was a member of the American Radio Relay League and an ARRL-accredited
Volunteer Examiner. He died suddenly on Thursday, December 23, 2004 in
Gardner Hospital. He was stricken ill during the day at home and passed
away from a heart attack. He was 59.
Bob was the beloved advisor of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Wireless Association (W1YK). "We will be always thankful for his years of contribution and service to WPIWA and its members both past and present and he will be missed. His memory will live on eternally within us all and we are thankful that we knew such a great man and we will never forget what he taught us," remarked Michael Kastanas, KB1JLY, WPIWA President in a message he called "probably one of the hardest emails I have ever had to write to the entire club."
An obituary in the region's newspaper, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, included these notes about Bob's life, "He leaves his wife of 33 years, Susan B. (Brown) Taylor; two daughters, Karen L. Taylor of Worcester and Cheryl A. Cleary of Dudley; his father, Marland E. Taylor of Worcester; a sister, Barbara Reynolds of Worcester; a nephew and several nieces. He was born in Worcester the son of the late Mary (Obey) Taylor and lived 33 years in Hubbardston. Bob graduated from Worcester Boys Trade High School and was a Laboratory Technician in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he worked 37 years.
He was an amateur radio operator and enthusiast for many years. His call sign was "W1CE" formerly, "NA1Q". He was a former FCC License Examiner and a member of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Wireless Association, Boston Athletic Association, Blue Knights of Worcester and "Skull" National Honors Society. Mr. Taylor was a former Civil Defense Coordinator, a member of the Emergency Management Committee and the Board of Health, all in Hubbardston. His passion was motorcycling, snowmobiling and drag racing."
An outpouring of messages from area radio clubs, including the Central Mass Amateur Radio Association (CMARA), quickly spread remembrances of Bob's life throughout western Massachusetts and all of New England during the Christmas holiday weekend. A message sent to Mohawk ARC club members by John F. Dould, AE1B, said "Bob had been a member of MARC for over 18 years. He was instrumental in MARC holding VE sessions in its' early days and spurring others to get their VE credentials." Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, a WPI alumnus, remembered how Bob always "signed-off" on the air, or on the phone, saying, "Bye bye for now!" Hundreds of students mentored under his advising continue to use "Bye bye for now!" when they sign-off. Students and alumni were organizing to attendservices in memory of Bob. Cards to his family can be mailed to:
ROBERT M TAYLOR
70 WILLIAMSVILLE RD
HUBBARDSTON MA, 01452
USA
The complete obituary from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette:
Sunday, December 26, 2004 Robert M. Taylor, 59 HUBBARDSTON-Robert M. Taylor, 59, of 70 Williamsville Road was stricken ill at home and died Thursday, December 23, 2004 in Gardner Hospital. He leaves his wife of 33 years, Susan B. (Brown) Taylor; two daughters, Karen L. Taylor of Worcester and Cheryl A. Cleary of Dudley; his father, Marland E. Taylor of Worcester; a sister, Barbara Reynolds of Worcester; a nephew and several nieces. He was born in Worcester the son of the late Mary (Obey) Taylor and lived 33 years in Hubbardston. Bob graduated from Worcester Boys Trade High School and was a Laboratory Technician in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he worked 37 years. He was an amateur radio operator and enthusiast for many years. His call sign was "W1CE" formerly, "NA1Q". He was a former FCC License Examiner and a member of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Wireless Association, Boston Athletic Association, Blue Knights of Worcester and "Skull" National Honors Society. Mr. Taylor was a former Civil Defense Coordinator, a member of the Emergency Management Committee and the Board of Health, all in Hubbardston. His passion was motorcycling, snowmobiling and drag racing.
The funeral for Mr. Taylor will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 28 in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Hubbardston. Calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, December 27 in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hubbardston Fire Department, Rescue Squad. P.O. Box 490, Hubbardston, MA 01452.