Obituary

N7DG: Don Greenwood signed off the air for the last time on June 2, 2013.

Early Life

Education/Military Service

Family/Professional Life

Don and Hazel started their new post-WWII life together in California, where Don was recruited as a "code operator" into a new organization called the Foreign Broadcast Information Service. During his long tenure with FBIS, Don and Hazel and their daughter, Cheryll, travelled the world. He completed his BSEE (Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering) degree (with honors), learned to love golf (he was proud of his hole-in-one), cheered on whatever baseball and football teams were near his home base, made sure his family respected the people and the cultures of the countries where they lived or visited, and tried to be the best husband, father, friend and co-worker he could be. Don became Cheif Engineer of FBIS, supervising many engineers and technicians at more than a dozen locations around the world.

Amateur Radio

Don became an Amateur Radio Operator in 1950, was given the "call sign" N7DG and worked hard to qualify for his "Extra Class" License. He was an active DX'er and enthusiastic entrant into many DX contests, and who attained DXCC Honor Roll status in 1997. Don was particularly proud of his service as Net Control for ham networks set up to provide emergency communications assistance during natural disasters worldwide.

During those days, Ham Radio Operators communicated primarily by using Morse Code (also known as "CW" for "continuous wave"), which Don became proficient with for many years. Demonstrating a proficiency in Morse code was for many years a requirement to obtain an amateur license to transmit on frequencies below 30 MHz. When Ham Radio operators communicate with each other, they send "QSL Cards" to each other to document the date, time and band frequency that the contact took place. Don primarly worked on Mixed Bands and had accumulated a total of 334 Contacts/ Countries on Mixed Bands

Friends

Throughout his life, Don Greenwood stayed in close contact with many of his friends till the end of his life, sharing memories of the time they spent together and the good work the did in service to their country. One life-long friend of Don's, E.C. "Bud" Veregge, that went to school with Don, also graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1940, and also was an Amateur Radio Operator, passed away the day before Don on June 1, 2013, several states away in Nevada. Don and Bud were both active DX'rs that talked several times a week over the Amateur Radio frequencies for many years. Don and Bud are no-doubt continuing their friendship in heaven.

Retirement

Don and Hazel retired to Grants Pass, Oregon in 1973 and for 35 years they thoroughly enjoyed the countless wonders of that beautiful area and developed many deep and lasting friendships there. They fished the Rogue River, drove to the coast to crab, enjoyed plays and concerts, explored and traveled widely with family and friends, counted birds for the Audubon Society, built birdhouses with the Boy Scouts, and served their community as volunteers for many other organizations.

Sunset

Don Greenwood passed away peacfully on June 2, 2013, surrounded in love by his family. A private family celebration of Don's life was held in the Summer of 2013. Donations in his memory may be made to the Salvation Army, or another charity of your choice.

1.   http://www.farewelltributes.com/obits/obituaries.php/obitID/814945/obit/Donald-Ralph-Greenwood