Vernon J. Kaspar, 95, Frankfort, Indiana, died in his sleep at 2:47 Friday morning, Jan. 5, 2018, at Milner Community Healthcare, Rossville, Indiana. Vern was born Jan. 15, 1922, in Sioux City, Iowa. At the age of 13, he received his FCC license, and he is most likely holding the oldest FCC license in the United States of America. http://obituaries.kokomotribune.com/obituary/vernon-kaspar-1922-2018-1020141132
Vernon J. Kaspar, W9FAM SK FISTS Number: 8223 QCWA Number: 32261 Vernon J. Kaspar Frankfort - Vern Kaspar Signs Off Vernon J. Kaspar, 95, of Frankfort, Indiana died in his sleep at 2:47 Friday morning January 5, 2018 at Milner Community Healthcare, Rossville, Ind. Vern was born on January 15, 1922 in Sioux City, Iowa to Charles and Alma (Goering) Kaspar. He married Lillian Lundgren on September 2, 1944 and she preceded him in death August 20, 1999. Vern Kaspar graduated from Iowa State College in 1945 with degrees in Physics and Engineering. A veteran of World War II, he enlisted in the Navy and completed officer training school at Princeton and Columbia in 1945. In the early 50's Vern Kaspar was in a management position at the only TV station in Iowa at the time, WOI Des Moines. By the late 50's Vern and Lillian Kaspar purchased WILO AM 1570 at the age of 39. Kaspar Media now includes some 10 AM/FM/translator stations in Indiana and Missouri and other holdings. Vern and Lillian Kaspar traveled extensively with other members of the press and personally interviewed world leaders including Saudi King Abdula, Assir Arrifat, Bishop Tutu, Poland president Jarwarski, King of Jordan, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Vern Kaspar traveled behind the iron curtain before its fall and visited Cuba and editorialized to open up relations there before Clinton did the same. He broadcast on the radio from Havana, Cuba. He had many interest, he had visited 61 countries and Vern enjoyed learning something each day. He enjoyed observing national and international politics and delivered hundreds of editorials on WILO, WSHW, KWRE and KFAV over the years. He was an advanced extra Amateur radio operator and able to send and receive Morse code in excess of 60 words per minute. Vern Kaspar was inducted into the Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame in October 2004. He was a former board member of the National Broadcast Editorial Association. At the age of 13, he received his FCC License, and he is most likely holding the oldest FCC license in the United States of America. He was a 32 degree master mason and was widely known for his generosity. He is survived by: 3 Sons, Victor (Karen) Kaspar of Dunn, NC, Steven (Pat) Kaspar of Warrenton, MO, and Russ (Susan) Kaspar of Frankfort, IN; 10 Grandchildren, Dawn (Sam) Constance, Don Boisvert, Kelli Jo (Bill) Shroyer, Justin (Kelly) Kaspar, David (Michele) Kaspar, Benjamin (Megan) Kaspar, Ryan (Fiancée, Lafayette Deon Kelly) Kaspar, Alex Kaspar, Trevor Kaspar; 16 Great Grandchildren; and 1 Great Great Grandchild. 4 Nieces also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Raymond Kaspar, infant daughter, Susan Kaspar and granddaughter, Angela Kaspar. Visiting will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2018 with services 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort. Burial will follow in St. Luke Cemetery, north of Frankfort. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution to the Clinton County Humane Society , Camp Cullom or the Clinton County Community Foundation c/o the Vernon and Lillian Kaspar Scholarship Fund. Please visit goodwinfuneralhome.com, where you may share a personal message with the family. Published in the Journal & Courier on Jan. 7, 2018 http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/jconline/obituary.aspx?n=vernon-j-kaspar&pid=187758581&fhid=14529
I worked Vern many times over the last 42 years. Very sorry to hear he is now a silent key. Very good CW op. He will be missed. 73, Vern Marshall Devine, W5ACG
Vern lived about 8 miles from me. We operated Field Day together with the Clinton County Amateur Radio Club on several occasions. His operating skills were tremendous, especially CW. His business acumen was similarly well known and respected. He will be missed. Mark Phillips, W9PC
THANK YOU DON, VERN WAS ONE OF THE EARLY PIONEERS OF THE CHICKEN FAT OPERATORS CLUB. https://groups.google.com/g/chicken-fat-operators-club >>>>>>>> A RESPECTFUL TRIBUTE AND SALUTE TO - W9FAM - VERN - CFO # 072 - WHO IS NOW A SILENT KEY - GOD REST HIS SOUL <<<<<<< https://groups.google.com/g/chicken-fat-operators-club/c/biEk0qJbTS0/m/fKXz9ycpEAAJ Dear CFO friends, Enclosed is a copy of an email I received today from David Bunte - K9FN JAN. 5, 2018 Carmen - I just got off the phone with Russ Kaspar. ( RUSS KASPAR IS VERNS SON ) He called to tell me that Vern passed away today (JAN. 5, 2018) in the early morning hours. He would have turned 96 on the 15th of this month. Vern was a very close friend for more than 45 years, and I don't know anyone who loved our great hobby more than he did. He had been in an assisted living facility for a few months, and I visited with him just a matter of days ago. There is no way I can notify the hundreds and thousands of friends he had around the world, but knew that you would want the news. God bless you my friend, and the memory of our friend Vern. 73 de Dave - K9FN RESPECTFULLY POSTED K1LKP K9FN SET UP AND MAINTAINED VERNS HAM RADIO STATION DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS OF VERNS LIFE.
In 1970, I worked with Vern at one of his radio stations, WILO AM/FM in Frankfort, IN. Over the years, I visited him and even worked him occasionally on the ham bands. He was very successful in the operation of his Broadcast stations in Indiana and Missouri. Tom Mulvaney, KR4BD Lexington, KY
I remember one afternoon I was calling CQ on 40m CW at about 20wpm or so, and Vern answered me. It wasn't our first QSO, and we exchanged pleasantries and chatted for a while. Then he asked me if I wanted to QRQ a bit. I willingly obliged, and we continued the QSO at about 25wpm. After a while, Vern asked if I would like to QRQ a bit more. Sure! As I recall, we reached the 30wpm mark. My fist, as is usually the case, started falling apart and I began making too many errors. I apologized to him and said that I would back down to 25wpm. He indicated that would not be a problem, but he asked me how fast I could copy. I told him I was able to copy 35wpm just fine, so he started sending at that speed. After a while, he asked if he could QRQ to 40wpm. I told him I'd give it a go. I was stretching my copy ability a bit, but with his fine fist, I copied just fine. Well, that didn't satisfy Vern, so he asked me if 45wpm would be doable. "We can give it a try," I answered, still sending at my comfy 25wpm. Then his beautiful fist created the most lovely and precise Morse at 45wpm, which, with a little difficulty on my end, I was able to copy quite well. So, I credit Vern for "pushing the envelope (on my end)" and allowing me to realize that I could copy 45wpm given perfectly sent Morse. That sure was one fun and memorable QSO! I know that 45wpm is not a big deal to many QRQ ops, but I felt like I had accomplished something, thanks to my old friend, W9FAM. He was a great guy, and one FB operator! I sure miss him. 73 es ZUT, Chip W9EBE
I remember hearing him on phone. He identified as W9 Father And Mother. I had numerous contacts with him. However, I don't believe that I ever worked him on CW. I'm pretty sure that I'd remember given his reported excellent CW skill.
