Stephen M. Dobbs, 73, of Mohns Hill Road, Spring Township, died Friday, Aug. 30 in his home following a brief illness. He was the husband of Beverly L. (Anderson) Dobbs to whom he had been married for 47 years.
Born in Newfoundland, Canada, he was the son of the late William C. and Olive (Adams) Dobbs. Stephen graduated from Wilson High School in 1969. Because of his father’s military postings, Stephen attended 13 schools over a 12-year period, including nearly four years in Ecuador. He was employed for more than 48 years by Boscov’s.
Stephen gained international recognition from the amateur radio community for his contest station operations at his Spring Township home where he assembled an impressive array of antennas and radio equipment. He operated the station under his FCC amateur radio call sign - NE3F “Norway Echo 3 Foxtrot.” He achieved several awards in international and U.S. radio competitions and held a record for his multi-multi operation in the Pennsylvania QSO Party. Stephen was first licensed as an amateur radio operator in 1972 under the call sign WA3SPJ. He eventually earned his Extra Class license and upgraded his call sign to NE3F. He was a long-time member of the Frankford Radio Club and member and past president of the Reading Radio Club. He helped to mentor several area amateur radio operators in the art of radio contesting over the years.
Stephen was a member of the North-South Skirmish Association for 38 years and earned numerous medals for his shooting accomplishments in regional and national competitions.
In addition to his wife, Beverly, he is survived by two children: Stephanie Dobbs-Leavitt, and her spouse, Nicholas Leavitt, Boca Raton, Florida; and William Dobbs, Womelsdorf. And, two grandsons, James Stephen Dobbs and Alexander George Dobbs, both of Womelsdorf.
Services are private. The family requests contributions in the name of Stephen Dobbs be made to the McGlinn Cancer Institute at Tower Health or Heartland Hospice, Wyomissing. The Good Sipler Funeral & Cremation Centre Inc., Reamstown, is in charge of arrangements.