[SCCC] Tom McDuffie; 'Ham' with wide-ranging interests helped others

[Michael Tope]

Wow, what a cool guy. RIP T/M.

73, Mike W4EF.........

Dennis Vernacchia wrote:

>Obituary
>
>Tom McDuffie; 'Ham' with wide-ranging interests helped others
>
>By Blanca Gonzalez
>Union-Tribune Staff Writer
>
>2:00 a.m. July 25, 2009
>
>His interests ranged from butterflies and birds to muscle cars and NASCAR,
>but most people knew Tom McDuffie as a "ham."
>
>As manager of the local Ham Radio Outlet store and a longtime amateur radio
>operator, Mr. McDuffie advised and mentored many newcomers to the hobby.
>
>He took pride in making two-way radio contact with many foreign countries
>and other faraway places, and in helping others get started in amateur
>radio. Those he helped included Walter Cronkite, King Hussein of Jordan and
>comedian Garry Shandling.
>
>Mr. McDuffie died July 13 at a San Diego hospital after suffering a stroke.
>He was 62.
>
>He was known as an accomplished "DXer," which meant he was able to make
>two-way radio contact with hundreds of distant stations. Friends and family
>said Mr. McDuffie had made contact with nearly every country or entity in
>the world.
>
>"It's a very addictive hobby," said friend Jim McCook. "There's a certain
>thrill in (connecting) with someplace in the world you hadn't contacted
>before It's another victory."
>
>McCook said Mr. McDuffie was among those who had the technique and knowledge
>of the airwaves and different frequencies to be able to contact places such
>as Mongolia, South Africa and the Czech Republic.
>
>Mr. McDuffie was known as an honest, reliable man of integrity, who was
>always willing to offer help and advice, said Bob Gonsett, president of
>communications consulting firm CGC.
>
>"You don't find people of Tom's mettle every day," Gonsett said.
>
>Mr. McDuffie's daughter Shannon said he enjoyed networking with people
>around the world. "He taught me how to build a radio when I was 12," she
>said.
>
>"He had so much knowledge about many things, and he had so much passion for
>many aspects of life. He could tell you anything about history, radios,
>gardening , " Shannon McDuffie said.
>
>"He could build a car; he had one of the best muscle cars in San Diego. He
>could tell you every type of bird and every type of butterfly. He read
>everything," she said.
>
>Dan Schrokosch of San Marcos met Mr. McDuffie at the Carlsbad Raceway. "He
>always had a smile on his face, and he would help anybody," Schrokosch said.
>Mr. McDuffie enjoyed drag racing and showing cars, and was especially proud
>of his yellow 1969 Camaro.
>
>In addition to ham radio, gardening and cars, he was a marathon runner and
>enjoyed playing golf.
>
>Thomas F. McDuffie Jr. was born March 18, 1947, in Long Beach, where he
>graduated from high school and attended Long Beach City College. Serving in
>the Army, he was stationed in Germany and other parts of Europe in the
>mid-1960s.
>
>Mr. McDuffie was a salesman for Jim Beam Distillery when Glen Rattman met
>him. Rattman was manager of Ham Radio Outlet when he hired Mr. McDuffie to
>help him in 1978.
>
>"Tom had a reputation for a wry sense of humor, but he took his job
>seriously. He got a sense of satisfaction out of helping people get
>acquainted with ham radio," Rattman said.
>
>During his time visiting bars and restaurants for Jim Beam, Mr. McDuffie
>developed an interest in wine and food, his daughter said. He was a wine
>collector and supported her interest in the culinary arts, said Shannon
>McDuffie, who is a chef.
>
>Mr. McDuffie is survived by his wife, Susan of Carlsbad; daughters Dana of
>Poway and Shannon of Carlsbad; a brother, Tim of Encinitas; and three
>grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Derek.
>
>Services have been held.
>
>In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mr. McDuffie's memory
>to the American Heart Association, 1710 Gilbreth Road, Burlingame, CA
>94010-1795.
>
>Blanca Gonzalez: (760) 737-7576;
>blanca.gonzalez at uniontrib.com<blanca.gonzalez%40uniontrib.com>
>
>In the Union-Tribune on Page B5
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