My Condolences. Robert G. Ferrero, W6RJ SK SK December 4, 2015 Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) Founder Robert G. “Bob” Ferrero, W6RJ (ex-K6AHV), of Danville, California, died on December 4 after a period of ill health. He was 78. An ARRL Life Member, Ferrero was a California state trooper and US Navy veteran when he acquired Ham Radio Outlet in Burlingame, California, in 1971. The original store operated from a former railroad station. “[T]hrough decades of hard work and commitment to his customers, [he] turned it into the largest Amateur Radio retail chain in the world, with 14 stores now throughout the United States,” said Chip Margelli, K7JA, in a Facebook post. Ferrero took part in several DXpeditions, including 9J2RA, TJ1GB, W6RJ/Z2, FO0FI and FO0FR, which was the first expedition to the Austral and Marquesas Islands. He also operated from HZ1AB in the 1980s and early 1990s. Ferrero was inducted into the CQ DX Hall of Fame in 1997 and into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame in 2005. He was a member of the A1 Operators Club. In 2009, the editors of CQ, in conjunction with the Visalia DX Convention, recognized Ferrero “for his many contributions to Amateur Radio.” Among his survivors is his son Robert, W6KR. — Thanks to Chip Margelli, K7JA, and The Daily DX http://www.arrl.org/news/ham-radio-outlet-founder-robert-g-ferrero-w6rj-sk 73 K2HAT Lee Hatfield Jr
Robert G. Ferrero, SR, W6KR SK Robert Guy Ferrero January 13, 1937 ~ December 5, 2015 Resident of Danville Robert (Bob) Ferrero, passed away peacefully in his home in Danville on December 5th following a lengthy decline in health. His beloved wife of 55 years, Mae (Davis), was by his side. He is survived by two children, Robert Jr., (wife Carolyn) and Kelly, two grandchildren, Robert III and Christina, who were the lights of his life. He will be greatly missed by his three sisters, Shirley Orlich (Bill, now deceased), Virginia Ferrero and Vickie Kovisto, his sister-in-law, Ginger Hatch (husband Jay) and brother-in-law Ernie Davis (wife Zora), as well as nieces nephews and cousins. Bob grew up in Pittsburg, CA where as a teenager he became interested in ham radio, built his own radio equipment and spent many hours making contacts over the air. Upon graduation from Pittsburg Senior High School in 1954 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a radio operator in the Signal Corp. In 1961 he joined the Pittsburg Police Department where he served for 6 years. His law enforcement career continued with the California Highway Patrol until 1971. In 1971, Bob started what was to be a significant contribution to the amateur radio hobby, Ham Radio Outlet. He opened the first HRO store in a small train station in Burlingame, CA and created what is now the largest amateur radio retail establishment in the world. Bob W6RJ was legendary in the ham world. He was an avid DX'er with a "second-to-none" amateur contest station, specifically designed for DX on the low bands. Bob was inducted into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame in 2005. Upon his retirement in 2005, his son Robert Jr. W6KR continues the family legacy serving as President of Ham Radio Outlet. Friends are invited to attend the Celebration of Bob's Life Saturday December 26, 2015 at the Pittsburg Elk's Lodge, 200 Marina Blvd., Pittsburg, CA 94565 beginning at 1:00 PM. The family prefers donations to the CHP 11-99 Foundation, The Wounded Warriors Project or the Animal Rescue Foundation of Walnut Creek (ARF). The Ferrero family thanks all of you in advance for respecting Bob's wishes by supporting these organizations which he so dearly cared about. Published in Contra Costa Times on Dec. 20, 2015 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/co...&pid=176890762&fhid=2211#sthash.q6ChQiJE.dpuf
