20160717 - Stuart (Hoppy) Hopwood VK6VSH

Born on the 31 July 1956 in Victoria. Died at Kununoppin 10 July 2016.

Stuart was born In Victoria, at the age of 8 his family moved to Bunbury where Stuart schooled and grew up to teenage years.

At 18 he moved to Perth and studied horticulture at TAFE. After graduating he managed to secure a job working for Hamersley iron in the Pilbara,

working in horticulture and site rehabilitation as well as becoming a train driver for a period.

Stuart was very involved in the Pilbara State Emergency Services of which he was a very active member and mainly dealing with radio communications another love of his. He Joined the Army reserves Pilbara regiment whilst in the North West and involved himself in radio communications. Stuart then left the Pilbara after 10 years and moved to Perth and worked for the Kings Park Board for 12 years as a Horticulturalist. Whilst in Perth he transferred from the Pilbara regiment to the 109 Signal Squadron, then under the command of Major Kevin Byrne VK6KQ and continued on with his radio communications interests being involved in the 109 Squadrons exercises.

He Married the love of his life Pam in 2001 and they then moved around the West Australian country side where Stuart performed Ranger duties in a number of shires which included Ravensthorpe, Port Headland, Williams, Beverly and Merredin.

His interest in radio communications having become more involved over the years from State emergency services, Army communications and Shire communications sparked his involvement in Amateur Radio. He obtained his Foundation licence and then Standard Licence. Stuart was regularly heard on 80 meters in the evening at 7pm on 3.605 or around 40 meters of an afternoon on 7.093 or thereabouts. He was also a regular on the early morning Bernie Gates Shavers Net on 3.605 or 7.105 and occasionally ran the net.

Stuart’s quick wit and great sense of humour will be sorely missed by those fortunate to have engaged with him on air or in person. A genuine honest man who always had a good word and a friendly smile for everyone.

Our thoughts are with Stuart’s wife Pam at this sad time.

Vale Stuart Hopwood, VK6VSH, silent key

Stuart will be farewelled at Purslowe Funeral Chapel in midland on Monday the 18th of July at 10AM.

Pam has requested those in the amateur radio community who would like to attend would be most welcome.

Thanks to John Byrne VK6VZZ for preparing this tribute to Stuart