SVARC club member Warren Corliss KQ4KLA has notified us of the death of a significant contributor to our hobby of amateur radio: Francis (Frank) A Swiech N1DGQ. Warren recalls: “Frank was founder of what is now the New England Repeater Directory. He originally maintained the spreadsheet in the 90s, which I then assisted in getting posted on a website in 1998. Frank will be greatly missed.”
His club, the Nashua ARS, did a member spotlight on him a few years ago that captures many of his amateur radio interests, activities, and contributions: CLICK HERE.
Francis “Frank” Swiech
1944 – 2024
Francis Swiech (Frank) of Nashua, NH, died on Thursday April 18, 2024 in Bedford, NH. He was born on October 9, 1944, in Springfield, MA to the late Albert Swiech and Victoria (Saletnik) Swiech.
After graduating from Chicopee High School, he went on to study Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technology at Wentworth Institute in Boston, MA, graduating with an associate degree in 1962. He continued his education in the same field at Lowell Technological Institute, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1968.
After graduation Francis went onto active duty through the Reserve Office Training Corps (ROTC) program where he served from 1968 through 1988. He completed Squadron Officer School in August 1971 and Air Command and Staff College seminar in 1980. During his service Francis worked various assignments at Hanscom Air Force Base, Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, and in Thule, Greenland where Francis served as Deputy Commander of a satellite tracking station. He was decorated with multiple medals, ribbons and awards. In 1988 Francis honorably retired from the Air Force with the rank of Major. He settled in Nashua, NH, after the last assignment while still maintaining his residence in Chicopee, MA at his family’s home.
Francis was an avid amateur radio operator with the call sign N1DGQ. He spoke at length about his decades-long love of the hobby in an interview posted on his club’s website HERE.
Also, in previous years he enjoyed hiking and traveling.
One of his greatest joys was his family with whom he loved spending time during holidays, family events or just visiting to say hello when in Massachusetts. One of Francis’ most cherished memories was visiting Poland in the summer of 2011, his family’s native country.
We have sent condolences to his family on behalf of the Shenandoah Valley Amateur Radio Club.