It is with great sadness that I report the passing of a good friend and world-class DXer, Merv Schweigert K9FD. Merv spent most of his time living in the St. Louis area where he rose to the top of DXCC in multiple ways. He was not only a great CW operator but had a keen sense of propagation and whatever he set out to do, he did it well. This included moving to China and finally settling on the island of Molokai, HI where he repeated his DXCC efforts using simple wire antennas, and a longwave wspr signal that was spotted all over the world. His final year was spent living with his daughter's family in Wisconsin where he continued picking up rare ones using FT-8 and a vertical. Merv liked nice equipment and QRO but proved over and over that technique and "the ear" for DX was most important. He will be missed by many, from 630 meters and up. More about Merv at my website: https://tinyurl.com/5n83368s Bob W9RAN
Mervyn D. Schweigert, K9FD SK Mervyn David Schweigert November 4, 1944 — July 23, 2023 Zenda, WI Mervyn David Schweigert, 78, of Zenda, WI, died July 23, 2023, in Lake Geneva, WI. He was born November 4, 1944, in Kankakee, IL. He is survived by his children Mark (Marla) Schweigert and Heidi (David) Grajek; half siblings Barb (Dale) Hartman, Brenda (Mike) Morgan, Karen (Miles) Morrical, Kevin Schweigert, Keith (Laurie) Schweigert, and Rhonda (David) Luhrson; grandchildren Christopher (Amanda) Schweigert and Samantha Schweigert,and Benjamin and Jack Grajek; He was preceded in death by his wife Mary A. Schweigert nee VanDerAa; father Wayne Schweigert; mother Jean (nee Evans) Greene; step-mother Alma Schweigert; and brother Brent Schweigert. Merv loved Jesus, his wife Mary, his kids and grandkids, Ham Radio, and anything airplane. He was a great cook and loved making Chinese food. He loved to travel and had been to many countries. He and Mary had lived in China in 2000-2001 and then moved to Hawaii for over 20 years. Merv was very intelligent and loved learning. His mind was always working on the fix for a problem or a new plan and he usually had some ham radio or antenna modifications in mind. He had a great sense of humor and found a lot of joy in the things he loved. Merv's Ham Radio callsign was K9FD and he was an excellent operator. He was at the top of the ARRL DX Century Club Honor Roll and had many awards. Ham Radio gave him a community of friends from all around the country and the world. Merv also loved aeronautics and joined the EAA. He built and flew radio control airplanes for many years wherever he lived and always wanted to become a pilot. Merv was a mechanic and farm hand in his younger years and he would often talk of the joy of working the land. He began working at Red Bud Industries in the early 1980's and filled several roles including Electrical Engineer. He was a great asset wherever he worked. Merv will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Our great loss is heaven's great gain. Visitation: 4 PM to 7 PM Sunday, July 30, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Waterloo, IL 9 AM until 10 AM Monday at First Baptist Church in Waterloo, IL Funeral: 10 AM Monday, July 31, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Waterloo, IL Pastor Mat Whitaker officiating Interment at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo, IL https://www.quernheimfuneralhome.com/obituaries/mervyn-schweigert Mervyn David Schweigert, 78, of Zenda, WI, died July 23, 2023, in Lake Geneva, WI. He was born November 4, 1944, in Kankakee, IL. He is survived by his children Mark (Marla) Schweigert and Heidi (David) Grajek; half siblings Barb (Dale) Hartman, Brenda (Mike) Morgan, Karen (Miles) Morrical, Kevin Schweigert, Keith (Laurie) Schweigert, and Rhonda (David) Luhrson; grandchildren Christopher (Amanda) Schweigert and Samantha Schweigert,and Benjamin and Jack Grajek; He was preceded in death by his wife Mary A. Schweigert nee VanDerAa; father Wayne Schweigert; mother Jean (nee Evans) Greene; step-mother Alma Schweigart; and brother Brent Schweigert; Merv was a member of ARRL. Visitation: 4 PM to 7 PM Sunday, July 30, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Waterloo, IL 9 AM until 10 AM Monday at First Baptist Church in Waterloo, IL Funeral: 10 AM Monday, July 31, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Waterloo, IL Pastor Mat Whitaker officiating Interment at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo, IL Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mervyn David Schweigert 2023. https://usobit.com/obituaries-2023/mervyn-david-schweigert-2023/
More info and tributes from Mississippi Valley DX/ Contest Club: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gPuaIwGMOTYkOM5Pi3wsjvbMZYkubYye/view RIP, Merv & 73
