Walt Maxwell, W2DU, SK

I see that ARRL is reporting that Walt Maxwell, W2DU, is now a silent key. Walt was first and foremost an expert in antennas, transmission lines, and matching networks. IMO, his Reflections series of books (Reflections III currently available from CQ Communications) is a must-have for the serious amateur's library. Beyond his accomplishments in amateur radio, Walt was a distinguished engineer for RCA designing many spacecraft antennas. Before his tenure with RCA, Walt worked for the FCC and had written articles in recent years detailing those activities.

Walt will be missed.

 

M. Walter Maxwell, 93, died July 3, 2012 at his home in DeLand, Florida of natural causes.

Born in Daytona Beach in 1919, his parents were William W. Maxwell and Mabel E. Maxwell of Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Married to Harriette Coral Koster on November 6, 1943, until her death on April 20, 1985.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 in Corpus Christi, TX. Walt graduated from Central Michigan University in 1954, with a BS degree in mathematics and physics. He was employed by Radio Corporation of America in Princeton, NJ from 1949 until retirement to DeLand in 1980.
Walt was responsible for the RCA Astro Electronics Division Antenna Test Range from 1960 through 1980. More than 30 earth-orbiting spacecraft utilized antenna systems designed solely by Maxwell, including the Apollo Lunar Rover system that televised astronauts as they worked on the moon.
Walt was very active in Amateur Radio, licensed in 1933 at age 14. He authored and published three editions of "Reflections, Antennas and Transmission Lines" since retirement.
He is survived by spouse, Jean Binkley Mayhew; three sons, William W. Maxwell of DeLand, FL, Richard A. Maxwell of Marietta, GA, and John R. Maxwell of Gainesville, FL; and one daughter, Susan M. Glasnapp of Delray Beach, FL; three grandchildren, Sheri A. McDonald of Lakeland, FL, Douglas M. Glasnapp of Fort Worth, TX, and Christopher M. Glasnapp of Reston, VA; and two great-grandchildren, Nicholas McDonald and Conor Glasnapp. You are invited to share your memories with the family at www.lankfordfuneralhome.com

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/news-journalonline/obituary.aspx?n=m-walter-maxwell&pid=158409702



W2DU SK

73 K2HAT Lee

 

Walt will be sorely missed around these parts.

 

There's a great loss to common sense -- and a nice guy, too. But the body fails, and there is a time when it is right and proper one be allowed to lay down one's labors and rest.

Ave atque vale...

Cortland
KA5S

 

Super, super bummer

I spent some time with Walt and got to know him a bit. Both he and his wife are very nice folk.

This is very sad news for me.

RIP Walt and thanks for all you have done.