 |
Alan Kaul, W6RCL |
A tribute to Alan Kaul, W6RCL
by Bill Pasternak, W6ITF
Before any of the details fade, please let me share with you what I experienced
earlier today. That being the memorial gathering held to honor our friend
and one of those who helped to found ARNewsline - Alan Kaul,
W6RCL.
A memorial unlike any other I have been to. Well, how many such events
have an NBC News cameraman recording it all and a Scottish Guard with
bagpipe leading the processional and recessional? Not very many.
Let me start by saying that what this gathering was not.
It was not one of those somber occasions where folks are sobbing throughout.
Knowing Alan as I did for the past 35 years, there is no way he would
want his family and friends to do that.
No, this was a true celebration of one man's life and the gift of friendship
and love that he bestowed upon all who were lucky enough to have crossed
life's path with him - told by his friends and colleagues.
The church where we assembled held about 450 people and every seat was
filled. After the minister completed the short religious service, it was
time for the folks who knew Alan best - his four children - to tell their
stories, followed by his close friends representing Alan's oh so many
varied interests.
Amateur Radio was represented by our mutual friend Dave Bell, W6AQ who
talked on Alan's love of the hobby from the time he was first licensed
at age 15, through to the last time - last September - when Alan, Dave
and I met for lunch at the Hollywood Canteen. He also told the congregation
about Alan's volunteerism in ham radio - his support of Field Day - his
love of Morse contesting - and the hours that Alan spent in creating the
words voiced by retired CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite (KB2GSD) in the
two most recent ARRL videos -"Amateur Radio Today"
and "The ARRL Goes To Washington." Dave
also covered Alan's years in Amman, Jordan, when he was JY9RL - one of
the very few Jordanian stations on CW - making JY9RL a very rare catch.
I should add that Alan's love of ham radio played a significant role
in the service. While Dave was the "spokesperson" representing
the hobby, other, non-hams had some great stories about Alan and his radio
hobby. One I recall - and which I heard first from Alan years ago - dealt
with Alan, his wife and their next door neighbors / friends deciding to
vacation in the Caribbean.
Alan decided to bring along some ham radio gear - but did not have the
proper permits. So the gear was confiscated - and while his wife and friends
sat on the sand, Alan spent the first vacation day obtaining the right
paperwork and bailing his gear out of imposed storage - just so he could
go on the air - from a not all that rare spot.
The last order of business were two videos. The first, produced by his
fellow employees at NBC Network News chronicled Alan's career in broadcast
journalism. By some great fortune, they were able to locate old still
photos, some 16 mm film and early tape footage of Alan and followed his
career from its dawning in his hometown of Spokane, Washington to KNBC
in Burbank and then with the network - literally around the world. Anchored
by Alan's longtime friend - NBC News Correspondent George Lewis, it was
a glimpse at a side of Alan that those outside the industry would never
get to see.
The second video -- titled "Daddy" was a look at Alan - the
newsman and the parent - as seen through the eyes of his 19 year old daughter
Alexa who produced it. The "love" was overwhelming.
We then adjourned to the home of one of Alan's closest friends to continue
the celebration on a less formal, one on one basis. Great people - wonderful
wine and some of Alan's favorite foods to bring to an end a rather perfect
day
This was not just a few hours spent commemorating a man's life and work.
Rather it was an afternoon spent getting to know even better a man whom
we all thought we knew.
A person who touched our hearts and minds. A person, who even in death
made sure we all knew that we were as important to him as he was to all
of us.
Please permit me to close this note with some of the most beautiful and
apropos words ever written. The words of lyricist Steven Schwartz in his
song "For Good."
To you Alan:
"Because I knew you I have been changed for the better.
And because I knew you, I have been changed for good."
de
Bill P, WA6ITF
|
