SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX001
ARLX001 Past ARRL Midwest Division Director Lew Gordon, K4VX (SK)

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QST de W1AW
Special Bulletin 1  ARLX001
> From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT  February 27, 2017
To all radio amateurs

SB SPCL ARL ARLX001
ARLX001 Past ARRL Midwest Division Director Lew Gordon, K4VX (SK)

Past ARRL Midwest Division Director Lew Gordon, K4VX, of Hannibal, Missouri,
died on February 25. He was 87. Although he had been suffering from cancer,
Gordon had remained active on the air until
his death.

Licensed in 1947, Gordon was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. After separating
from the service, he attended Purdue University, earning a bachelor's degree in
physics.

An ARRL Life Member, Gordon served on the ARRL Board's Membership Services
Committee, including 2 years as chairman, and on its Administration and Finance
Committee. He stepped down from the Board
in 2000 at the age of 70.

Cliff Ahrens, K0CA, later also served as Midwest Division Director. "Lew's love
for Amateur Radio touched so many, Ahrens said. "He was a strong advocate for
Amateur Radio during his 6 years of service as the ARRL Midwest Division
Director. And he served our country honorably in both the Air Force and the
CIA. We will miss him greatly."

Gordon's first love was DX contesting, and during his active contest years as
W9APY, W4ZCY, and K4VX his station made several hundred thousand QSOs. Over the
years he also mentored many young contesters, including three-time WRTC
co-champion Jeff Steinman, then KR0Y, now N5TJ. Among the other budding
contesters that Steinman enticed into the circle of K4VX operators was Dave
Patton, NN1N, now ARRL Field Services Manager.

"Jeff brought me into the group in 1985, after I returned from my active duty
Navy stint," Patton recounted, "and I am forever thankful to Lew and his wife
Terry, NS0Z for opening their house and
hearts to me." The late Bill Fisher, W4AN, was another of Gordon's contesting
proteges.

Patton said Gordon had a reputation in the contesting world for his high
ethical standards, insisting that operators at his station abide by them,
especially with respect to not exceeding the maximum legal power output.

"His strength of character and contest skills led to his selection as Chief
Judge at two World Radiosport Team Championship competitions," Patton said. "I
was proud to be a competitor when he was there, and we were sure that the
scoring was the best it could be."

He was on the DXCC Honor Roll with 366 all time for 1 DXCC Honor Roll. He also
held Worked All Zones (WAZ) on both phone and CW. In 1996 he was tapped for
membership in the CQ Contest Hall of Fame, an honor he always felt topped all
the others. Gordon was a life member of QCWA, the Eastern Iowa DX Association,
and the Mississippi Valley DX and Contest Club. He also belonged to the Potomac
Valley Radio Club and the Society of Midwest Contesters.

Gordon has been published in QST, CQ, NCJ, and in several editions of The ARRL
Antenna Compendium. He said recently that he'd rather be known for the
antenna-design software he wrote - YagiMax - and for the various antennas he's
designed. YagiMax remains in use worldwide.

Patton said Gordon ventured beyond contesting and DXing, equipping a local
school with ham gear and teaching classes. "He licensed over 100 kids, and they
all had tours of a real radio station," Patton said.

"Lew was one of our real true hams, and it goes without saying that he will be
missed," Patton said.

NNNN
/EX

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