Senior Field Engineer

William Wesley Clopton, 61, who worked 33 years for Bendix Corp. before retiring in 1988 as a senior field engineer, died April 12,
2002 at Civista Memorial Hospital after a heart attack.

Mr. Clopton, who lived in La Plata for 35 years, was a native of Wichita Falls, Tex. He served in the Navy as a submariner from 1959
to 1965.

He came to Washington in 1968 to work for Bendix as an electronics technician.

A ham radio operator, he was a member of Southern Maryland Amateur Radio Club and the Blossom Point Amateur Radio Club.

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The following was put together by JD - W1JD

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Wes Clopton, W3ERU
(ex-KN4ITM Dothan AL 1955, ex-K4ITM Dothan Al 1956, ex-K5OJS Lawton OK,
1958, QRP ARCI 8304, FISTS 2099 CC99 GOLD 29, QRP-L 2179, ARRL) Silent Key

Wes and I belonged to a YAHOO email group called 2n2-40. In the fall of
1997, the Northern California QRP Club sponsored a design contest whose
objective was to design a functional amateur radio transceiver, using a
maximum of 22, 2N2222 transistors. The name 2n2-40 stands for the 22, 2N2222
transistors, the forty is for a 40-meter transceiver, hence 2n2-40 (see the
background at: http://www.qsl.net/k8iqy/). Wes built and got his 2n2-40 rig
going maybe two months ago and was very excited about it, he had 10-15
states worked with it, all with two watts or less into the coax. The
original designer (K8IQY) is working on design for a 2n2-15 (15 meter
transceiver) that Wes was going to build when the design was done.
I told the 2n2-40 group of Wes' passing, these are the comments that came
back.

From: "Jim Kortge, K8IQY" <jokortge@prodigy.net>
JD,
I'm am shocked and saddened with the news of Wes' passing. He was one of the
Yahoo 2N2/40 building gang, and was having a ball until this tragic event
occurred.
Please convey my deepest sympathies to his family. He will indeed be missed
by us all.
72 and kind regards,
Jim - K8IQY, 2N2/40 Designer

>From "Dennis Ponsness" <wb0wao@hotmail.com>
I too am saddened by the loss of Wes. I have been exchanging emails with Wes
for a while, as he was going to be building the 2N2/15 rig along with me. He
was a true gentleman and an asset to ham radio. I shall miss seeing his
enthusiastic posts when another 2N2/40+ came on the air.
Dennis - WB0WAO

From: John Wagner
<john@wagner-usa.net>
I'm very saddened to hear this news. I only knew Wes through this list and a
few private emails. We QSO'ed once, but it was very short. He was always
quick to help and a keen supporter of this group. You might notice that the
two emails prior to this one are from him. In fact, if you search back
through the 2n2-40 archives you'll find many messages from Wes.
For me personally, the most memorable message of this group came from Wes
after the attacks on our country. The message is archived here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2n2-40/message/381 - I urge people to read
it - I think Wes would consider this to be an important way to remember him.
My condolences to his family and friends. He made this list a better place
and I'm glad he joined us here.
73,
John - N1QO

From: "n0dsp" <n0dsp@yahoo.com>
I will miss Wes as well. Wes was always quick to offer me words of
encouragement, offer help, and advise. I saw how excited Wes was when he got
his 2N2/40 working and was making contacts. Wes made time to look for me
when I was on looking for my first contacts and I'm glad we got to talk to
each other.
Several months ago, Wes posted a message to the group offering some extra
turn indicators to members of the group. He gave one to me for my first
"Homebrew" rig. I've been working on getting my 2N2/40 in the case and
should complete the final touches today. It will be proudly displaying the
gift from Wes. I told Wes I would send him a picture. I will post it to the
group to see.
I am glad I got to know Wes. I will miss him.
Sincerely,
Tom Little - N0DSP

From: Hans William Perl <hwp002@yahoo.com>
all -
It is sad news indeed that Wes Clopton, W3ERU, has passed away. I met him
here on this group, and had several exchanges of e-mail with him on various
subjects on different occasions. In front of me now is a little cardboard
box with his handwriting on its top containing some parts he sent me for the
2n2-40+ I plan to build. A QSO with Wes with my 2n2-40+ from my location on
the north coast of the island of Puerto Rico was a big challenge and one
major goal. May Wes rest in peace.
-HWP WP4GVW (ex KP4ABF)
San Juan, 1037 hours AST
14April02 (Sunday)

From: Jeff Hecht <jhecht@dnaco.net>
I as well only knew Wes through this group. And, as many of the other
posters have said so well, I was also encouraged by Wes and will miss him
greatly. I sincerely hope that his family understands how far his reach
went.
So many times we don't consider how precious life is, until something like
this happens.
Right after I made my first QSO with my newly completed 2N2/40, he told me
to "Get down off the roof before you fall.....". It's comments like this
that let you know that Wes was a special person that will be missed dearly.
Best 73.
Jeff - K8GD

From: John Wagner
<john@wagner-usa.net>
JD,
Thanks for that information about Wes, much appreciated. As I mentioned, I
only corresponded with him through email, we never met face-to-face. I could
tell he was the sort of guy I would enjoy spending time with had we been
geographically closer.
I wish I never lost anyone I cared for yet I have - it's a part of living I'
ll never get used to or good at. I'm sorry for your loss and sorry we don't
have Wes in our group anymore, he is already missed.
Take care es 73,
John, N1QO

From: Kenneth Hoglund <hoglund@wfu.edu>
Gang-
Like most of us, I only corresponded with Wes via email, but he was a
quality individual. His daughter lives nearby, and in several emails Wes
mentioned to me he would like to have an eyeball qso sometime when visiting
her. I think for most of us he represented the kind of enthusiasm and
helpfulness that we hope all amateur ops share.
A week ago the mails brought an appeal for funds for the ARRL Education
program, and I've been mulling over some response. Given Wes' contribution
to my enjoyment of this 2N2-40 project and his encouragement, I plan on
making a small gift in memory of Wes. Maybe he would enjoy seeing us share
the hobby with an ever-larger circle.
73
Ken - KG4FGC

(not with the 2n2-40 group)

From: Jack Van Gilder <n3mps@BellAtlantic.net>
We never know when may be the last time we may speak with someone. As one
gets older, and sees his friends depart this world, that thought becomes
more apparent.
A few of us were able to attend the viewing for Wes, W3ERU. There was a very
nice prayer service for him Monday at the viewing. The room was packed.
There was a display of flowers provided by CCARC that had Wes's call
embedded in them. Wes's son, Bill was appreciative of some thoughts of Wes
that were shared with him by some of us. Bill mentioned that Wes had
completed his QRP breadboard project and was able to put it on the air.
Maybe someone out there may be able to tell us more about that QRP rig he
built. Rumor is that one or more individuals saw it during its construction
phase and after completion. Step up to the bat and tell us what you saw.
I got to chat with Wes over the internet occasionally with the Instant
Message system. Everyday, I would see his call in my buddy list. I even got
a few elmer sessions from him this way. When Hank, W3FVD passed away, I
asked Wes if he could make me a recording in CW. My request to him was W3FVD
de SMARC a couple times followed by W3FVD SK. I think Wes got excited about
that. The next day I had a couple versions in my email from Wes.. At the
time, I wasn't sure how I was going to use it.
I have listened to that recording a few times and can almost see Wes
pounding it out on his keyer, while recording it on his computer with his
microphone and attaching it to an email to me. He knew it was for Hank.
So, in that spirit for which it was created, I offer it for others to hear
on the SMARC web page. See if you can feel the spirit of Wes pounding the
brass to honor Hank. It is about 1.4 megs.
http://www.qsl.net/smarc/w3fvd_sk_by_w3eru.wav
Thanks Wes for being there for us. We will miss you . 73 OM
~Jack~

I met Wes in 1986. We were working on W7UH's tower and repeater at the time.
Wes took "chief of the ground crew" duties while I climbed the tower. You
could hardly tell he was afflicted with Parkinson's by the way he was
working those duties and supervising the other ground crew members. Over the
years, I watched his motor skills and body control decline as the Parkinson'
s ravished and took over. In the last 8-12 months, he lost feelings in his
fingers and other extremities to the point that he could burn himself with a
soldering iron and not realizes it until he smelled it. He went from being
able to walk, to a walking with a cane or walker, to a wheelchair.
I feel like I have lost a brother. Rest In Peace Wes, Best 73
jd