Kim’s dad passed away this morning shortly before 4 a.m.  Frank had Alzheimers, congestive heart failure, and possible pneumonia.  Although we hated to lose him, the Alzheimers disease had robbed him of his memory, his joy of family and friends, and in the end, even the ability to eat and drink.  It was very sad.  Kim and her brothers are doing OK, although we’re very tired after only getting two hours sleep last night.  It has been very difficult for her mom, who is also in the nursing home.  They were married 63 years.

Everything went well in KC.  I had dinner Friday night with about 10 members of the Raytown ARC.  Saturday morning we had a pretty good crowd for the ARRL forum, considering it was early – 8:15 a.m., and most hams were looking for bargains at that hour.  I think we had about 20 to 30 at the forum.  Dale and I signed up a couple new members, and I checked a new DXCC application with 169 cards.  I hit the road at noon, and came home in time to be with Kim and the rest of the family at the nursing home the rest of the weekend.

The family is gathering for the visitation Wed. and funeral Thur.  We’ll enjoy the chance to be with our three children, two of whom are coming in from Atlanta, GA and St. Louis.  It will mean a lot to both Kim and me to have the three kids and three grandkids with us this week.

Cliff