Bruce W. Butler, W6OSP, of Napa, California, died January 16. He was 79. Butler’s father was a ham and inspired him to get his license, which he did in 1950, becoming W5PXN while a high school student in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

While serving in the Navy on Guam, he operated KG6AAY and was able to keep in touch with his father. He got hooked on DX after operating from both sides of a pileup.

A University of New Mexico graduate, he moved to California in the 1970s and obtained W6OSP. In the 1980s he became a stockbroker and also rejuvenated his ham radio activity.

His primary activity was DXing. He served as president of the Redwood Empire DX Association and was a member of the Northern California DX Club and the Northern California Contest Club. He served on the board of the Northern California DX Foundation and as its treasurer and president until recently stepping down in retirement.

W6OSP was on DXpeditions from such locations as 3B9, 4O, A6, KH8, H40, HV, KH4, PJ7 and ZF.

NCDXF President Rusty Epps, W6OAT, remembers Butler’s “boundless” energy, and said he was always looking for ways to help activate most-needed entities. “Amateur Radio, and the DX community in particular, has lost a champion; I have lost a great friend,” said Epps. — Thanks to The Daily DX and the NCDXF