Past ARRL Connecticut Section Communications Manager (SCM) Victor L. “Vic” Crawford, W1TYQ (ex-W8NUV, HZ3TYQ), of Rapid City, Michigan, died November 8. He was 94. An ARRL Life Member, Crawford served as Connecticut’s SCM from 1957 until 1960, when he stepped down to work in the Middle East.

As HZ3TYQ from 1963 until 1976, Crawford made two DXpeditions each to what were then called the Saudi Arabian/Iraqi and Saudi Arabian/Kuwaiti Neutral Zones, 8Z4 and 8Z5. In 1961, he led an operation from the Saudi Arabian/Kuwaiti neutral zone (9K3TL/NZ), with Jack Laub, HB9TL, Roy Fleming, MP4BBD, and L.M. “Rundy” Rundlett, W3ZA/K4ZA.

Crawford also operated from HZ1AB, using the phonetics “Hot Ziggety One American Boy.” Don Karvonen, K8MFO, recalled that Crawford was known worldwide for his impeccable CW and top-notch operating. “I will always remember June 29, 1962, when, as a 16 year old with a rag-tag station in Upper Michigan, I worked Vic from HZ1AB,” Karvonen recounted. “I know I’m not alone in sharing lifelong respect for Vic, both as a top-notch operator and a world-class guy. We have lost one more from America’s Greatest Generation.”

An aircraft pilot Crawford was a key individual in the development of aviation for the Arabian American Oil Company — Aramco, said Bob Walsh, WA8MOA. Crawford also worked with the Saudi government to set up navigation and air-to-ground communication for its new commercial air fleet.

Crawford retired to Torch Lake, Michigan, and operated as W1TYQ/8 with a particular interest in 80 meters, where he racked up nearly 300 DXCC entities. He was on the DXCC Honor Roll with 378 entities (mixed). — Thanks to The Daily DX and Hamgallery.com