Memorial to Stan Liljekvist K5SRL SK

By Kipton Moravec AE5IB
Plano Amateur Radio Klub President

It was gratifying to see all of the Amateur Radio operators that showed up at Stan's Monday, November 2nd memorial service. Here are the words I spoke there. Perhaps others will add their remembrances of Stan as comments to this article.

I met Stan about twelve years ago when I was in an annual charity benefit show called “Live from Plano”. That show has raised over a million dollars for Collin County charities over its' twenty one years and I believe Stan was involved in it for the past sixteen years.

Each year he was in two or three of the numbers and some years he was also a featured singer. He was very involved with the production and helped with gathering props and the back-stage work during the show. This past year my wife Delynda and I directed the show, and Stan was in charge of the props. He was at every rehearsal, took notes of what was needed for each number, and helped us find what we needed. I do not know what we would have done without his help.

A few years ago, I asked him about the antenna on his car, and discovered he was an Amateur Radio Operator. I told him I was interested in becoming a Ham, but could not learn Morse code. He said that there was no Morse code required anymore, and that he was a member of the Plano Amateur Radio Klub. I went to a club meeting, found out about a class, took the class, and passed the test. It was Stan who introduced me to the Plano Amateur Radio Klub - - today, I am the club President.

I found out that Stan was very active in the Plano Amateur Radio Klub. He was always volunteering to help out. For Field Day when we go out to a park and set up he usually takes the over night shift.

He has been net control for the Richardson Wild Ride for many years.

He was net control for the launch field at Plano Balloon Festival for many years.

He manned the Talk-in at HAMCOM and Skywarn school for many years.

Thanksgiving and Christmas Morning he would go down to the Visiting Nurses Association and help with the communications on distributing up to 3300 Meals-on-Wheels.

He he also helped out at some of PARK's other Public Service Events like:

Blackland Triathlon
Wish100 Bike Rally
JDRF Walk
EDS Race for the Cure
Son Run
Seaton Sole
Plano Christmas Parade

He was also a one-man welcoming committee. He was friendly and helpful to everybody and was the champion of PARK's Saturday morning breakfast, always reminding us of “Breakfast at Tony's Cafe” during the Good News Net.

He was part of the Collin County Amateur Radio Emergency Service. During training sessions he would work as part of the Logistics team, matching the operator with the job function needed.

When the National Weather Service activated Storm spotters during last Sunday's storms, he and I were at the Lucas Fire Station. That was the last time I saw him.

One of my friends said he was a big man, in a small body. I agree.

Click here to listen to the Good News Net Memorial to Stan.

Please feel free to add your thoughts.