Harry Mills, K4HU (SK)
Harry Mills, K4HU (SK). This photo was taken in 2003. [Harold Kinley, WA4GIB, Photo]
Harry Judd Mills, K4HU, passed away Saturday, August 9 at the Cardinal Care Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina after a period of declining health. He was 100. Mills was a resident of Hendersonville since his retirement in 1971 after a 30 year worldwide career with RCA as an engineer and manager. First licensed in 1922 as 8VHX, he was a 72 year member of the ARRL, a founder and past president of the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) Chapter 76 of Hendersonville and a fellow of the Radio Club of America (RCA).
Mills was active on the air up until his death. He could be heard twice weekly checking into the AM net on 3810 kHz, as well as the Chapter 76 QCWA SSB net on Saturday mornings on 3930 kHz. Mills credited a crystal receiver project from The Boy Scout Handbook, given to him by his parents when he was 12, for his interest in wireless and radio. Featured on the NPR program All Things Considered in 2001, Mills had this to say about the magic of radio: "To me it is difficult to describe the fascination of it. I know I use it all the time. How does it happen? Can't see the fella. There are no wires going from here to there. But you can talk to him. It was a phenomenon that interested me from the beginning. I presume that it is safe to say I've never gotten over it."
ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, remembered Mills fondly: "I can't remember a time in Amateur Radio when I didn't know Harry. A visit to his shack was always a learning adventure. He could regale you with stories of his own hands-on experiences from spark gap to today's modern equipment. His shop was a veritable wonderland of learning. If you needed work done on your radio, he was the man. Whenever Harry was the speaker at a radio club meeting, the attendance would always swell. You would never know what trinket or treasure he would bring with him. I have frequently said that Harry had forgotten more about radio and electronics than I ever knew. I will miss his knowledge and friendship. He was the best of the best."
No memorial services are planned. An online register book is available for those wishing to express condolences.
Page last modified: 08:13 AM, 14 Aug 2008 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
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