Richard A. Pierson, K6MMU SK (SK March 21, 2018) Previous/Other Callsign(s): KC6MMU 10-10 Number: 76325 Richard (Rick) A. Pierson 5/16/1947-3/21/2018 Rick, a beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully in his home March 21, 2018. He was born on May 16, 1947, in St. Helena, California. Rick was a specialist in the field of real estate, working as an appraiser and brokering his own real estate company. He was an inspiration in many ways. He enjoyed pairing his award winning wines, from his own vineyard, and his extensive cellar with his gourmet cooking. As an avid Ham Radio Operator, he enjoyed initiating contacts and participating in worldwide contesting. He also took pleasure in building and flying RC planes with his grandchildren. Rick is survived by his wife Ingrid Fritsch Pierson, daughter Annette Pierson Smith, son Jason Pierson, and daughter in-law Jenny Snider Pierson along with grandchildren Brandon, Alexandra, Nathaniel, Caleb and Hannah, and mother in-law Cornelia Fritsch. Rick's easy sense of humor and gentle soul will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but most of all by his wife of nearly 51 years, Ingrid. Services will be at First Congregational Church, 710 Auburn Ravine Rd., Auburn, 12 noon on Friday April 6. Religious Service Information First Congregational Church 710 Auburn Ravine Rd Auburn, CA 95603 Published in Auburn Journal on Apr. 5, 2018 http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/auburnjournal/obituary.aspx?n=richard-a-pierson-rick&pid=188662097
Copy Pasted from Rick's QRZ Bio page.. My interest in Ham Radio developed in the 60's. My friend and I both enjoyed the challenges of electronics and at 13 we worked at building radios. In the 60's these weren't from kits but from "scratch". Popular Electronics was our bible... and this is where we read about HAM Radio. Then while helping my neighbor I stumbled upon his "National 300" receiver. Wow! When he told me that this is what HAM operators use to receive, I was hooked. In those days to get a Novice license one had to first learn code and pass a CW test at 5 wpm and a written test on electronics administered by one General. My "bible" became a real one... when my friend's Lutheran minister took us under his wing in the rectory and taught us code. Every Saturday morning for four months we learned and practiced our CW. Every Sunday we were there in church. We both passed our code test on the first round (my call sign WN6DGE) and I went on to get my General designation within the year (WB6DGE). In the mid sixties my interest in HAM radio was replaced by girls, sports cars and airplanes. The radio room in my garage fell into silence as the latest rock tunes played from my sports car on my way to either dates or flying lessons at the local airport. The inactivity on the HAM bands was lengthened with further distractions... college, marriage, and US Navy. My Navy tour of duty included 9 months on station in Vietnam flying off the USS Hornet where I put my training as a backseater working radar intercepts and electronic counter measures to work.(1969) It wasn't until 1991, after fatherhood, college completion in engineering and a career change to Real Estate Broker and subsequently Real Estate Appraiser, that my HAM interests were rekindled. I passed myTechnician and General tests same day and was relicensed as KC6MMU. I've been on air ever since. In the late 90's after all our kids had left the nest, my wife and I started traveling. European road trips, which included family visits throughout Germany, Italy, Austria and France became an annual favorite. This was balanced by our wine making hobby. The acreage that had supported our daughter's Arabian horse hobby now sported Zinfandel wine grapes which produce between 2.5 to 3.0 tons of grapes annually. Conservative by nature (what else would you expect from a baby boomer service man?) we are clearly concerned about our environment and have a pesticide free vineyard. By 2000 we had discovered the art of cruising. What a difference from the long ago Navy days. A floating luxury hotel, with a new port/destination to visit after a good nights sleep. We have visited most of the Caribbean, loitered along the shores and islands of the Mediterranean and watched for whales along the California and southern waters for those relaxing Mexico cruises. The Baltic cruiseis still baiting usand the Mediterranean Holy Land cruise which includes Alexandria North Africa (pyramids) and are putting forth siren calls. In the meantime, we are on our "hill" in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Enjoying fabulous Zinfandel wine(not just because it's our own product) and making HAM contacts. (My wife of 48 years,recently got her Technician license KJ6DKL.) Other interests include wine collecting & wine making, gourmet cooking, F1 racing, fly fishing, kayaking,RC airplanes. We have combined both food & wine hobbies on our fun adventures in food and wine web site http://www.winetrivia.net. Come visit and enjoy! I'm semi retired, but still active with my real estate company that my wife and I own ( Pierson Real Estate & Investments ).The photo was taken on the Brilliance of the Sea on entry to Venice and pictures my wife Ingrid and myself.
