17-Feb-2008: The dues records have been updated. This also required some changes to pages displaying the dues, including the status line above this box. If you see anything that does not appear to be correct, notify the webmaster.

Last update: 1-Apr-2008

Akos Revesz - Mar 22, 2008 - Updated

I regret to report that Akos Revesz, former COMSAT Labs employee in the Applied Sciences Division, passed away Saturday from lymphoma and complications. He was 80.

There will be a Latin Mass for Akos Revesz at St. Matthew's Cathedral, 1725 Rhode Island Ave., Washington, D. C. at 10:00 AM Sunday, April 6. The Cathedral is near Connecticut Ave. and one or two blocks north of the Farragut North Metro stop.

Following the services, the family, Kinga, Tom and Paul, invite friends to their home at 7910 Park Overlook, Dr., Carderock Springs, Bethesda, not far off Seven Locks Road near River Road.

Provided by Tom Kirkendall

2008 Dues
If you haven't paid your 2008 dues, please send a check for $10 payable to COMARA to
COMARA
PO Box 34594
Bethesda, MD 20827

Call for News

We are actively working on the April newsletter. We would like to include items about you your family, job, hobby, trips, etc. Send text to members [at comara.org] soon. If you have a picture or two to share, include a note, and we'll be touch to get it from you.

Valerie Knight - Mar 18, 2008

Valerie (Winstanley) Knight, 74, of Hagerstown, Md., died Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at her home.
Born Nov. 3, 1933, in Preston, Lancashire England, she was the daughter of the late John James Norman and Elsie (Fletcher) Winstanley. She was the wife of 54 years to Ivor Nolan Knight of Hagerstown.

Valerie was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, where she participated in Shawl Ministry, among many other programs. She also was an active volunteer in the community, including the Boy Scouts and Meals on Wheels.
In addition to her husband, Valerie is survived by four sons, Dr. Ivor Thomas Knight of Arlington, Va., Robert John Knight of Mountain Home, Tenn., William Geoffrey Knight of New Port Richey, Fla., and David Michael Knight of Baltimore, MD and eight grandchildren.

The memorial service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2008, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 101 S. Prospect St., Hagerstown. The Rev. Scott P. Bellows and the Rev. Stephanie P. Yancy will officiate.

The Gerald N. Minnich Funeral Home, Bryan K. Kenworthy P.A., 305 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown, has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences are accepted at www.geraldminnichfuneralhome.com.

Source: Herald-Mail.com

Lt. Col. Charles Ippolito - March 4, 2008

Claudette (Tucker) Ippolito's husband died last Thursday from complications of pneumonia. A viewing will be held for him on Sunday, March 9th from 2-5 at the Molesworth-Williams Funeral Home in Damascus.

A service will be held on May 21st, and he will be buried at Arlington Natl. Cemetery. Claudette was very happy and I ran into them many times in Bob Evans and visited them in their lovely home in Germantown. I thought you would want to know if you had not heard.

Link to the obituary: Frederick News-Post

Harry Gross - Feb 8, 2008

From Harry's Son, Doug Gross

I am sorry to inform you of the death of Harry Gross who finally succumbed yesterday to his long struggle with Myeloma. He was able to come to the Ancient Mariners Lunch 14 months ago and seemed to have overcome his illness. In a prophetic move, he gave me a prized possession, his Marisat tie pin. He was a great guy and a joy to work with. Details are in the obituary sent by his son.

Obituary

Forwarded by Ed Martin

Paul Helfgott Jan 22, 2008

Paul Helfgott, age 68, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 22 at his home. Condolences may be sent to the following address:

Diane Helfgott
2779 Clipper Circle
W. Palm Beach, Flordia 33411

Provided by Jim Silvius

December Newsletters have been sent.

Newsletters were mailed to members without a valid email. A text version was email to the rest of the members. If you didn't receive a copy, it probably means we don't have a valid email address or mailing address for you. Let the webmaster know. The Current Newsletter link at the left displays the newsletter.

Bob Matthews sent Marisat Nostalgia

A number of people worked to create the biggest newsletter in COMARA history. Jack Hannon (as usual) collected items from many sources. Jack asked Ed Martin to compose an article on Inmarsat-A. This satellite had a design life of 5 years. It will cease operations at the end of 2007 after providing 32 years of active service! Ed included anecdotes from people who helped create the satellite and program. You can add your own comment to the Inmarsat-A article.

We are fortunate that Brent Jacocks volunteered to help with our newletters. Brent used to provide the final format to proposals and technical reports at the Labs. There were a lot of drafts to get to the final. At least 10 in all. You will see a fresh and very professional look in this issue.

Of course, none of this matters if we don't know how to contact you. We do mail a copy of the newsletters to members who haven't given us a working email address. About half of the newsletters mailed this time are going to people who had given us an email address in the past, but these email addresses no longer work. So, if we don't have your current email and mailing address, please update your contact information (after signing in) or send them to webmaster@comara.org

FirstWednesday in December - Dec 5, Roys Place  Ron Johnson reported that about 20 people made it to the gathering in spite of the snow and ice on Wednesday. Bob Kroll took pictures, and we hope to have these available soon.

Initial Review of 2007-2008 Medical Plans

Jack Hannon provided his initial view of the medical benefits package.
Initial Review of 2007-2008 Medical Plans

Comara Social Pictures

Pictures from the 2007 Social are now available at 2007 Social Pictures.

The 2007 Class Directors

• Irving Dostis
• Joseph Pelton
• Steven Teller

Permanent Hall of Fame for Satellite Communications
From Joe Pelton

The Permanent Hall of Fame for Satellite Communications Project is being undertaken under the umbrella of the Society of Satellite Professional International. We would like volunteers to make this permanet display on the history of satellite communications a reality. At this point Steven Teller, Ellen Hoff, Ed Martin, Peggy Slye are helping out with this undertaking. If you think you could help us in our approach to the satellite industry or museums and universities we would very much like to hear from you. So far we have initial indications of support from Intelsat, SES Americom, and Orbital Sciences and have other feelers out.

Please call Joe Pelton 703 536-6985 or contact jpelton@gwu.edu or any other member of the committee. Many thanks. Joe Pelton