[qrp-canada] Niels VA6NJ/VE6NJK/TF3NJ SK

[Pat Byers]

Dear list members,

It is with deep sadness that I inform the list of the passing of 
another of our QRP family.

Niels, VA3NJ VE3NJK TF3NJ, suffered a fatal heart attack at dinner 
time Tuesday evening in Calgary, AB. He was only 52 and leaves his 
wife and teenage son.

I met Niels on the QRP-L list in the late 1990s when I discovered 
from his posts that he had an Argonaut 509. I introduced myself and 
we exchanged correspondence on Argonauts. I quickly discovered that 
he was very knowledgeable in electronics and extremely generous with 
his time and expertise. Soon we became good e-friends and eventually 
he invited me to join the Calgary QRP group to which I still belong 
even though I live more than 2000 km away now.

Niels' occupation was avionics technician for Air Canada Jazz but he 
had many interests outside of electronics and Ham radio. He was an 
avid motorcyclists and took pride in extremely high quality 
restorations of bikes. He entered his bikes in shows but the most fun 
he had was riding them. Recently, he gleefully reported to me that 
went out for a short tour but ended up traveling 300 km by the time 
he returned home.

Niels was also an accomplished pilot with licences in Canada, the US, 
and Iceland. On a visit to Ottawa about a month ago he exhausted me 
touring the National Aviation Museum. Who would have thought he had a 
heart problem? In any event, I couldn't have had a better guide. I 
was astonished at his knowledge of the aircraft on display but the 
biggest surprise was when he told me he had flown more than twenty 
different airplanes, including several types that were on display in 
the museum. Niels also built and flew radio controlled gliders and 
was involved in many of his son's activities such as soccer and 
Junior Forest Rangers.

Beyond his family, what was probably most important to Niels was his 
pride in his Icelandic heritage. He made a point of returning to 
Iceland frequently, usually for long breaks during the summer, to see 
his family and socialize with old friends. From what I was told, he 
was active there almost 24/7 so I'm sure returning to work in Calgary 
was a welcome rest from vacation. Last summer was especially notable 
for Niels -- his son spent the summer working in Iceland learning the 
language and culture.

As far as I know, Niels' faulty heart was a complete surprise. He 
appeared to be in good physical condition and still had a zest for 
life. It shows how vulnerable we are. We should all take care of 
ourselves and others during our time here.

We miss him.

73

Pat Byers VE3EUR VE6AAN