HAM HERO FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE

Used Courtesy of Dale Huffman and the Dayton Daily News

DATE: May 25, 2003

Some call him Mr. Hamvention.

Frank Schwab, who uses call letters W8OK, is credited with getting Dayton's Hamvention started 52 years ago along with a couple of friends who, like him, were devoted amateur radio operators, known as "hams." The annual event, which began with a convention of 600 radio operators at the old Biltmore Hotel downtown well over half a century ago, has grown so much that last weekend more than 30,000 ham radio enthusiasts from around the United States and more than 30 countries descended on Hara Arena for the 2003 Hamvention. For the first time since he got the annual event off the ground, Schwab was unable to attend.

As the Hamvention activities were going on, Schwab, 77, a retired printer, was fighting for his life in the Hospice unit in the hospital on the grounds of the Dayton Veterans Affairs Administration Center.

"Frank wanted to be there. I could just feel it. But he just didn't have the strength to go," said his wife of 56 years, Carolyn, of Butler Twp. "He is still alert at times, but is under medication. But he knew the Hamvention was happening, and he asked about it, and thankfully some of his radio buddies came by to see him here in hospice."

Carolyn is at her husband's side as he wages the biggest battle of his life. "He is fighting cancer," she said. "And then last week he had a heart attack. He's dealing with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. We are all doing a lot of praying."

Frank and Carolyn Schwab have 12 children, seven women and five men. They range in age from 35 to 54. All are college graduates and in professional careers. And all of them are spending time at their father's side this Memorial Day weekend, in support of their mother who has been there around the clock.

Carolyn, a retired nurse, left the room long enough to talk a bit about her husband, and his contributions to the community and the world of amateur radio operators.

"Frank was a U.S. Navy radio operator stationed on the U.S. Ingersoll during World War II," she said. "At the end of the war he continued his love affair with radios, and from the first day I met him he has been totally involved in that wonderful world."

Carolyn continued: "Frank is such a family man and so devoted to his children and to me. He taught his kids honesty, hard work, loyalty, and compassion. And he always has such a wonderful sense of humor about things. I think he is quite an inspiration to his kids and his 30 grandchildren."

Schwab has been honored for his ham radio work, and was presented the top DX Hall of Fame award 10 years ago. DX is the ham radio designation for long distance, one of the niche specialties in the ham world. Schwab leads the world with radio contacts in 376 countries.

After a tornado ripped through Xenia in 1974, it was Schwab who set up communications and kept Xenia in touch with the outside world. And Schwab also is credited with helping establish the Skywarn program, which uses ham radio operators to watch the skies and report conditions to the national weather service during severe weather.

"He is just an incredible man, so devoted to those radios and using them to touch lives," said daughter Paula Wathen. "He is very loyal and loving father, and I can honestly say that every value I hold dear I learned from my father, and my mother."

Dale Huffman wants your suggestions and story ideas. He'd like to share a story about you, your family, or a friend that you find touching or humorous. This column is for you. Got a story about your child? Have you seen the works of a good Samaritan? Do you want to share the special day or neat event coming up in your life? Send an e-mail to Dale at dale_huffman@coxohio.com or write to him at 45 S. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH 45402. Fax: 225-2489. Phone: 225-2272.

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