Peter P. Chenausky, W1VG (ex-W1JKS), of Avon, Connecticut, died October 1 after a short illness. He was 69. A long-time member of the Connecticut Wireless Association, Pete was an enthusiastic and successful contester, hosting many contest operations from his home on Avon Mountain. He achieved Mixed DXCC #5907 in 1961.

After a brief stint as an ARRL Lab assistant, Pete worked for the EIMAC Division of Varian Associates in California. In 1969, he began a distinguished career with United Technologies Research Center.

The highlight of his career at UTRC was leading the development of the RF excited waveguide CO2 laser. In 1981 he received the United Technologies Award for outstanding contributions to the advancement of science and technology. Pete subsequently formed his own company, QSource, Inc and received many grants for research and development from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, NASA and the Department of Defense. He authored/co-authored over 50 patents during the course of his career.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Peter P. Chenausky Science Scholarship Fund care of People's United Bank, 714 North Main St, West Hartford, CT 06107. A scholarship will be awarded each year to a graduating senior from Conard High School who is pursuing a degree in Science/Physics. His funeral will be at the Church of St Timothy, 1116 N Main St, West Hartford, at 10 AM Friday, October 8, 2010. -- Some information from an obituary published in The Hartford Courant