I am happy to say that I spent this past weekend with Sandy where he spent the last day of his life doing what he loved, volunteering at the Birmingham, Alabama Hamfest in the ARRL booth representing the ARRL and catching up with old friends.

Sandy was, as usual, in rare form all weekend, joking and having a good time. His gregarious nature and offbeat sense of humor often left others with mixed feelings, but always tendered with the respect that should be paid to someone with his experience and dedication to our much loved hobby of amateur radio. Sandy could relate to all Hams, both old and young, and he, and his sense of humor, will be sorely missed.

Breakfast began Sunday morning with Sandy surrounded by a group of friends, where he, as usual, did his dead level best to get the best of me with a joke. On this occasion, he managed to succeed, and, in fact, he continued to enjoy this until we parted ways at the conclusion of the Hamfest.

73,

Greg Sarratt, W4OZK

ARRL Southeastern Division Director

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From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org]
Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 1:18 PM
To: arrl-odv
Subject: [arrl-odv:17704] Sandy Donahue, W4RU SK

I’m deeply saddened to report that Southeastern Division Vice Director Sandy Donahue, W4RU died in his sleep last night. Jeff Beals, WA4AW called with the news a few minutes ago.

Sandy was 63.

Dave Sumner, K1ZZ