With sadness we report Steve Gillis-KZ6H passed away at the age of 79 on August 28th.
Steve is survived by his wife Gail and two children, Andrew and Kristin. He has four grandchildren. He served in the Navy for four years and then went to college earning a BSEE from UC Davis and an MBA from Stanford. He worked for GE Medical Group and was involved with the Ventura Coast Imaging Group. He also was involved with other companies and started a staffing company in Camarillo.
Steve earned his ham license as a teenager and was an active contester for several years. He joined Amateur Radio Emergency Service in 2016 and then Auxiliary Communications Service in 2017. He was a valued net controller for several years at the East County Sheriff’s Station Emergency Operating Center and was assigned to other radio rooms for Operational Readiness Tests.
Steve became a member of the Conejo Valley Amateur Radio Club in 2015 and was the founder of the CVARC MORSE Group. The MORSE Group is a friendly “club within the club” dedicated to promoting interest in CW and encouraging hams to learn and build their skills in sending Morse code. His group has grown to over 30 members and thrives today with monthly gatherings and a weekly “Friendly Slow-Code CW Roundtable.”
No public memorials are planned. Steve will be missed by the amateur radio community.