SAD NEWS ....
To all of the WB4GBI repeater family,
It is with a heavy heart that I share this news with you. Matt Kirby, WB4IOB, who was one of the founders of the 146.73 repeater, passed away this past Friday. For those of you who didn't know Matt, you missed an opportunity to be around one of the smartest, classiest people I have known. Matt and his brother Sam (WB4HAP), founded the 146.73 repeater in the early seventies. I remember when Matt and Sam placed .73 on the air, they told us in the RACK newsletter "not to buy crystals yet; they were still testing." How many of you remember crystal-controlled two-meter radios?
Matt was very active on two meters, 440 Mhz, and the HF bands, as well. He had the FCC First Class Commercial license, which was the "Extra Class" of the commercial radio world. He also enjoyed his houseboat on Norris Lake and taught many to ski. Several hams are on the air today due to Matt being their "Elmer." What may surprise you is that Matt did all of this while suffering with Cerebral Palsy all of his life. He spent his entire life in a wheelchair. Matt lived his life to the fullest and never let his disability interfere with any of the accomplishments that exemplified his life. Please remember his family in your prayers. Here is a link to the online obituary:
I took over the 146.73 repeater in 2007 when Sam, WB4HAP, became a silent key. I always hoped that Matt was pleased with what I was doing to get .73 back on English Mountain and return it to its once great service to the Amateur Community. Matt got a scanner at a RACK club meeting after Sam passed, and the first thing he asked me to program in it was 146.73. Matt was a great amateur radio operator, but more importantly a great person.
73 de Tim WB4GBI
