[SBE16-Seattle] Gary Hart

[John Price]

My longtime friend Gary Hart passed away this morning at 5AM. The cause was dementia plus multiple myeloma. His wife Elaine called me with the news. Gary had been living at the Hampton Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Tumwater since October of 2020. He was born on April 26, 1940 and was a navy veteran. I first met Gary in early 1979 when I was just starting as CE at KAYO 1150 when it was on 2939 Fourth Avenue South in Seattle. I remember calling him multiple times over the years saying in jest ‘we’re off the air’ and he’d get a big kick out of it. I last talked to Gary in May. Elaine said that he didn’t recognize anyone anymore, and she’s glad he’s in a much better place.

One of the greatest honors I’ve had was to work with Gary on putting together and than later driving him up to KIRO TV on October 9, 2019 for a presentation we did together for Chapter 16. We called it ‘The 4th Network-a conversation with Gary Hart.’ This attached picture of Gary was taken in September outside his house on Littlerock Rd. south of Olympia. In prior years Gary and Elaine would have BBQ cookouts at their place. Gary loved to cook burgers and talk with all the guests. Topics ranged from his time with the phone company, collecting and distributing wood for his Church’s wood mission and of course ham radio. Gary’s call sign in my mind will always be W7WWI.

Rather than have me fill the rest of this post with my memories of Gary, please post yours. Even though he disliked computers, I’m sure Gary will be glad to read what you have to say.

RIP Gary,
John Price


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