Craig Marquette KC7YOC, Silent Key

 

It is with great sadness that we report the untimely death of  Craig

Marquette, KC7YOC.

 

According to information received from Clackamas County ARES  EC David Kidd, KA7OZO, Craig passed away in the hospital from multiple organ failure after being admitted for chronic health problems.

 

A former employee of the City of Portland's Bureau of  Electronic Services, Craig was a member of PARC and served as its Emergency  Services Manager in the late 1990's. He also served as Amateur  Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Emergency Coordinator (EC) for the City of  Portland and as EC for Multnomah County.

 

He was  then appointed to succeed Roger McCoy W7ADV as District One ARES District  Emergency Coordinator (DEC), coordinating the development of ARES programs  in seven counties. As District One DEC, Craig also chaired  the Emergency Communications Planning Committee which determined band plans for tactical traffic among dozens of jurisdictions. He was also active as a communications volunteer for the Oregon Trail  Chapter, American Red Cross.

 

Craig retired as District One ARES DEC in  2003, and began a project of transition to the Oregon coast.

 

Steve Johnson, N7VIC, a co-founder and leader of the "E-CREW"  which provides volunteer safety and emergency medical communications and EMS  backup for many large events, had this to say upon learning of Craig's  passing:

 

"Over the  years, many of us have worked events with Craig, and his  wife.  Craig loved to use his hobby for the benefit of the community. I  have coordinated emergency communications for the Hood to Coast Relay, Rose City Relay, Rainier to Pacific and many more over the years, and he was there for all of them. Event coordinators knew that if you needed communications, all you had to do was ask, and he was there to  support you."

 

"Craig had his own way on the radio. He was clear and concise and he was light-hearted most of the  time, but all business when it mattered. His voice was unmistakable as was his love of the hobby and the friends that it brought him."

 

Steve and current Multnomah County EC, Bert Younglove, WA7HI, are  coordinating a suitable manner of remembering Craig's years of service and his congeniality & friendship.

 

Either flowers will be sent  to Craig's widow, or a charitable donation in Craig's name will be made to an  organization she designates. At the time of this writing, plans were to make a charitable donation.

 

Those wishing to make a  contribution to this remembrance of KC7YOC are encouraged to email Steve Johnson, N7VIC at signpeddler@verizon.net.

 

The Clackamas County ARES Net held a minute of silence on Sunday, January 23, in honor of Craig’s passing and other Oregon ARES, emergency services and traffic nets are encouraged to follow suit.

 

-- Kevin Hunt  WA7VTD