WA8MSD Memorial

Lee E. Haas, age 73 of Miamisburg, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 28, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on September 29, 1945 in West Carrollton, the son of the late Richard E. and Lavonne G. (Huden) Haas.

Mr. Haas honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during Vietnam. He was a retired Engineer for the Dupps Co., with over 40 years of service, and enjoyed Ham Radio, fishing, cooking and woodworking. Preceded in death by his sister Beverly J. Van Ess.

He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years Vicky (Wood) Haas, daughter Sheryl Gaines-Miller and husband Anthony, son Scott Gaines, brother Karl Haas, 4 grandchildren Ashley Hamblin and wife Alicia, Alexis Hamblin, Nathan Hamblin and wife Harlie, and Eli Cox, 3 great grandchildren Conner, Murphy and Carter, as well as other relatives and many friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, 2019 at the Swart Funeral Home, West Carrollton with Military Honors. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. If so desired memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice in Lee's memory. www.swartfuneralhome.com

My father Lee Haas went home yesterday morning. He was a Patterson Co-op graduate of 1963. He was a decorated Army Vietnam Vet, he worked for the Dupps company in Germantown, Ohio for most of his career as a engineer. He was a Ham Radio operator WA8MSD, and Vice President of the I.O.O.K. He was a loving husband to my mother for 36 yrs and a wonderful father to me. He will be greatly missed. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, as you knew my father was terminally ill. We are making the funeral arrangements today, and I will post once available. My apologies to those who find out this way, as I tried to reach out to family and friends before posting. May we all find peace in the fact, that he is no longer suffering. He will truly be missed, but his finger prints won’t leave my heart!

Lee and I went WAY back to the mid 60's! We first met on 6 meters when he got back from Vietnam!

This is not what I expected from our latest communication. He and I had chatted recently after he got back home from rehab!

He had told me he was feeling much better!

God bless you Lee! You will be missed!

73, Keith - WA8ZWJ

Damn... Please keep me apprised of what's going on as we will be in Michigan...

Sorry to hear about Lee.
Let us offer a prayer for his family. . . .
Charlie D. - WB8NSL from "wild and wonderful" WV.

Lee was the best. We go back to ‘78 and he was always the same man all those years. I remember he always won numerous times at the Miami Valley FM Bashes drawings and years later he told me his secret ticket bending method. That was Lee. Always in the game.
At least he is no longer suffering.
Chuck Hodell - N8ADN

One of the many friends I had while living in Dayton during the 70s.

RIP Lee

Bill - N9AYD (ex WA8PIA)

Lee said this fish cost him the cost of the boat, his trip to Michigan and his fishing license! That's why it was $6,000! The rest of the fish were free!

What a shock! I am so sorry to receive this news. It was always fun seeing Lee at Dayton. We sat next to each other at "The Gatherings" often and I listened to his fishing trip stories.

He will be missed by all. He is now playing poker in heaven and probably saying he’s not getting any good cards. God Bless!
Joel

This shot was taken at Randy - AB8CO's back in January of 2018.

L-R Randy - AB8CO, Jim - KA8SFL, Keith - WA8ZWJ and Lee - WA8MSD

Very sad to hear of Lee's passing . He was a great guy. Our condolences to Vicky and his family

Lee will be deeply missed. I knew Lee even before the IOOK.

Ed Rifenbark - W8ED

I am certainly saddened to hear this. Lee was one of the first members of the IOOK besides you and Chuck that I remember meeting back in 1976 for my first trip to Dayton with Joe Christian K5HMD.

Please express my condolences to Lee's family.

73, Micheal Salem - N5MS

Very sad news indeed. IOOK has lost another very bright light...
73, Tom - W3TOM

So sorry to hear. Will always remember the pig roast! Thoughts and prayers to his family.

Lee will be missed. We had common interest in radio, computers, software, electronics and mechanics. I had visited Lee at home Tuesday afternoon this week and he seemed in good spirits and was breathing well. (best I seen him for weeks) Lee you are already missed.
Joe / N8BYT

Sorry to hear of sad news on Lee.

Sad News :(
I first remember Lee from Hydrobowl and the hydroplane races in the Eastwood park bathtub. Great guy.
Jim - AE8R

The guys played poker the night after Lee's passing. Here is a tribute to his place at our poker table!

That was Lee's spot!

Keith, thanks for introducing me to Lee way back when also! Lee was bright, funny, and really knew his way around the hobby. He had not only good fishing stories, but his tales from flying as a helicopter crew chief in Viet Nam would absolutely curl your hair! He must have had ice water in his veins in order to have remained calm enough to repair his downed chopper and get it back in the air, after being shot down by the VC. And all this while still under enemy fire on the ground!!

Another thing (among many fond memories) that I recall was Lee’s expertise with converting Motorola HTs (like the HT-220?) to amateur service when FM repeaters were coming into vogue. He carried a special little screwdriver around the flea market that he could use to open up any model of Motorola rig to make sure it was pristine and workable, with no evidence of any previous hacks! And he was instrumental in helping me get my first HT that served me well on local repeaters, especially 04/64.

I sure wish I had been able to see Lee again at this last Gathering. But many thanks to Keith for checking up on him, and to Joe for visiting him at home! Way to go guys!

Gives me misty eyes remembering this friend of us all … but it is heartwarming to read all the shared recollections of Lee.

Lee Haas - WA8MSD Memorial