SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX001
ARLX001 ARRL Staff Member John C. Hennessee, N1KB, SK
ZCZC AX01
QST de W1AW
Special Bulletin 1 ARLX001
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT March 8, 2006
To all radio amateurs
SB SPCL ARL ARLX001
ARLX001 ARRL Staff Member John C. Hennessee, N1KB, SK
Long-time ARRL Headquarters staff member John Hennessee, N1KB
(ex-KJ4KB), of Newington, Connecticut, died March 2. He was 42. A
Headquarters employee since 1986, Hennessee was a regulatory
information specialist in ARRL Field and Educational Services. In
that role, he answered members' questions about FCC rules and
regulations and other legal issues pertaining to ham radio. He also
was the primary editor for The ARRL FCC Rule Book. ARRL CEO David
Sumner, K1ZZ, described Hennessee as "a valued member of the Amateur
Radio community far outside the walls of Headquarters" who achieved
a lot in his short lifetime.
"His death leaves a hole in the fabric of the ARRL family," Sumner
commented.
First licensed at age 14 as KA4AUR in his hometown of Cheraw, South
Carolina, Hennessee joined the ARRL staff right after graduating
from Wingate College in North Carolina.
Hennessee kept abreast of ongoing Amateur Radio legal and regulatory
matters and proceedings, a task that became increasingly difficult
for him as his eyesight and general health failed. Nonetheless, he
persevered in keeping on top of what was happening in areas ranging
from the PRB-1 limited federal pre-emption and covenants, conditions
and restrictions (CC&Rs) affecting ham radio antennas to new Amateur
Radio rules and privileges, license restructuring, reciprocal
licensing and licensing rules and procedures in other countries. He
also maintained the regulatory pages on the ARRL Web site.
Earlier in his Headquarters tenure, Hennessee edited the "Washington
Mailbox" and "Happenings" columns in QST. Over the years, he also
contributed to The ARRL Handbook, the ARRL Operating Manual and Now
You're Talking!
Outside of his Headquarters role, Hennessee assisted at Handi-Ham
camps. "Campers loved his gentle Southern manner--unfailingly polite
and ever so patient," recalled Handi-Ham Manager Patrick Tice,
WA0TDA. "John made each Handi-Ham member feel like a long-lost
friend!"
Hennessee "absolutely loved his work at ARRL, and it really showed,"
Tice observed. "He was one of the best ambassadors one could imagine
for Amateur Radio and ARRL."
In addition to ARRL, Hennessee belonged to the Quarter Century
Wireless Association and was an active member of the Newington
Amateur Radio League, where he was a Field Day regular. He enjoyed
CW and low-power operating.
"The world is a better place because of John, and a sadder place
without him," said ARRL Senior Assistant Technical Editor Larry
Wolfgang, WR1B, who worked with Hennessee on numerous publications.
Former ARRL Field and Educational Services Manager Rosalie White,
K1STO, was Hennessee's supervisor during much of his HQ tenure.
"John gave his all to ARRL Headquarters and to the League's
members," she said. "I was proud to supervise him."
ARRL staff members gathered this week at Headquarters to reminisce
about Hennessee. "I like to think ARRL provided him with an outlet
to share his gifts with the world," Sumner said. "Let's celebrate
that this South Carolina boy improbably found a home in
Connecticut."
Survivors include his mother, Carole Hennessee, two sisters and his
beloved cat, Darlene. A service will be held March 9, 11 AM, at
First Methodist Church, Cheraw, South Carolina.
The family invites memorial gifts to the church via PO Box 129,
Cheraw, SC 29520. Condolences sent to ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington,
CT 06111 will be forwarded to the family.
NNNN
/EX
