Former ARRL Headquarters staffer Glenn P. Swanson, KB1GW, of North Granby, Connecticut, died August 1 after a brief illness. He was 54. In the mid-1990s, Swanson was very active in contesting activities and served a term as Yankee Clipper Contest Club (YCCC) Connecticut Area Manager and was a contributor to the YCCC newsletter. Swanson was extremely interested in new Amateur Radio equipment and products -- especially transceivers -- and authored several QST product reviews.

First licensed in 1987 as a Novice, Swanson credited Peter Budnik, KB1HY - who became a fellow ARRL staffer -- for getting him involved in Amateur Radio. Swanson told then-QST Product Review Editor Rick Lindquist, WW3DE (ex-N1RL) in 1996 that "Peter was my best friend, and he was really into CB. I became involved, too. Later, when Peter decided to take an Amateur Radio licensing class, it was natural that I'd go along with my buddy and take the class, too!" Swanson said he and Budnik "climbed the licensing ladder together," from Novice to General. "And here we are years later, both Advanced class and both working at ARRL HQ -- in the same department."

Swanson first came to the ARRL in January 1993 as the Assistant to Bart Jahnke, then-ARRL VEC Manager, KB9NM. Two years later, Swanson moved to the former Educational Activities Department (EAD) -- later merged with Field Services -- for several years. In his role in EAD, Swanson was involved with the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX - the predecessor to the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station [ARISS]), scouting's Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) and the ARRL Instructor of the Year Award.

"Glenn was an enthusiastic ARRL staff member and Amateur Radio operator," said Lindquist. "He would even stay after hours to assist me in the product review process, and he made me feel at home when I first arrived at ARRL HQ. In addition, he got me involved with YCCC and serious contesting. Glenn was a great guy." Swanson wrote more than a dozen articles and product reviews for QST between 1995 and 1997.

Former EAD Manager Rosalie White, K1STO, his former supervisor, said, "I always liked Glenn and was happy to have him in the department. His death was such a shock!"

Swanson left ARRL HQ in 1998, going to work for the West Hartford (Connecticut) public school system as a technology support specialist. He was employed there at the time of his death. A memorial service is set for Thursday, August 7 at 5 PM at the First Congregational Church in Granby, Connecticut.