ARRL Honorary Vice President Hugh Turnbull, W3ABC, of Silver Spring, Maryland, died September 14 at age 93. Turnbull served the ARRL as Atlantic Division Vice Director (1980-1982) and Director (1982-1996). The ARRL Board named him Vice President in 1996 and Honorary Vice President in 2000.

Aside from his long and distinguished service to the ARRL, Hugh was actively involved in several DC-area Amateur Radio clubs and organizations, including the Foundation for Amateur Radio, a group of clubs from the Maryland, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia area that awards scholarships to deserving radio amateurs. In 2005, the Quarter Century Wireless Association awarded Turnbull a special plaque recognizing his “exceptional contributions to Amateur Radio in general and for outstanding work in the selection of recipients for the QCWA scholarship awards.” He was also a charter member of the Goddard Amateur Radio Club.

A licensed and active radio amateur since 1932, Hugh’s engineering career included employment with the FCC, the Voice of America and NASA. Upon hearing of his death, ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, who served as Atlantic Division Vice Director during Hugh’s tenure as Director, said: “Hugh's life was devoted to serving his country and Amateur Radio. Many times I heard him say that each of us should ‘give something back’ to ham radio. He was my first mentor in ARRL leadership, and it was my good fortune to have his example to learn from.” ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, added: “Hugh was an exemplary member of ‘The Greatest Generation’ who unselfishly took on whatever needed to be done for the common good.”

Hugh was predeceased by his wife, Betty. He is survived by his daughter, Karen Shangraw, and his son, Mark Turnbull. Turnbull will be buried at a later date with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the ARRL.