Stuart (Stu) Flechner, N4STU (SK)
LTC (USA, Ret.) Stuart Flechner was born May 10, 1941, in Brooklyn, NY, and later made his home in Hampton, VA, with his treasured wife and daughters.
Stu was an Aeronautical Engineer with NASA Langley Research Center for over 35 years, contributing significantly to wind tunnel testing and research. Passionate about giving back, he volunteered his time and talents with many organizations, including CERT, CASA, Peninsula Reads, Neighborhood Watch, Temple Sinai Brotherhood, Amateur Radio, Virginia Air & Space Museum, and NARFE. His service lives on through his gift of anatomical donation. Though a quiet man, Stu touched the lives of many.
As a long-time contributing member of SPARK and an important part of the Hampton Public-Service Team (HPT), Stu’s mentorship, quick wit, and deep expertise in the HAM radio field left a lasting mark. He served for many years as the SPARKGAP Newsletter writer, a role vital to keeping members connected. We believe SPARKGAP will continue to provide that connection, and we will think fondly of Stu as Robbie, KC4FLB, carries forward his legacy. Stu’s friendship, dedication, and humor will be deeply missed.
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Edward Shuman, WD0FYV (SK)
You will be missed.
Ed was a kind man, a smart man, and a funny man—someone who could always be counted on for a helping hand, a good story, or a well-timed joke. As an Air Force veteran, he served his country with honor, and as a longtime HAM operator since 1979, he served his community with dedication.
Ed was an integral part of the Hampton Public-service Team (HPT), where he was a key part of our EMCOMM capabilities, ensuring reliable emergency communications when they were needed most. He was also a proud member of the Southern Peninsula Amateur Radio Klub (SPARK). His passion for amateur radio extended far beyond the hobby—it was a way for him to connect, teach, and support others. As a Volunteer Examiner at SPARK-sponsored exam sessions and a teacher in the Amateur Radio Classes for many years, he played a crucial role in guiding new operators, sharing his knowledge with patience and enthusiasm.
Ed was also instrumental in our Field Day operations, playing a key role in networking and digital communications setup. Whether it was configuring systems, troubleshooting connections, or ensuring smooth digital operations, he made sure everything worked seamlessly. His technical expertise and willingness to help made him an irreplaceable asset to the team.
More than just a mentor, Ed was an Elmer in the truest sense, a digital guru who helped program countless radios and troubleshoot endless technical challenges. His contributions were invaluable, and his presence in our community will be deeply missed.
Though he may no longer be with us on the airwaves, his legacy lives on in the countless operators he inspired, the friendships he forged, and the knowledge he so generously shared.
73, Ed—thank you for everything. You will be sorely missed.
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Samuel Anthony “Tony” Swindler, N4TGR (SK)
Samuel Anthony “Tony” Swindler passed away at his home in Poquoson after a courageous battle with cancer. Born October 10, 1967, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, Tony proudly served 21 years in the United States Air Force, specializing in radio communications. After retiring from the Air Force, he continued to serve the military community as a computer network engineer for various companies, officially retiring from his civilian career just last year.
Tony was a man of many passions—he loved hunting, working in his yard, cheering for his beloved Kansas City Chiefs, and lending a hand to his neighbors. His commitment to helping others extended into active involvement with community organizations, including the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Liberty Baptist Church Disaster Relief Team, and the SPARK Ham Radio Club.
Professionally, Tony’s expertise was extraordinary. He brought over 34 years of experience supporting Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) organizations with 24/7 Radio Frequency (RF) and data systems engineering, management, installation, integration, sustainment, and operational support. His career included more than 11 years of RF systems maintenance and data systems integration for Quick Reaction Capabilities (QRC) and large antenna arrays, as well as two decades of direct support to Air Force DCGS and ISR operations. He excelled in engineering solutions, systems integration, evaluation, enhancement, maintenance, and problem resolution for mission-critical systems.
But beyond his professional skill, Tony was known for his curious mind and generous spirit. He was always brimming with ideas, often starting conversations with, “You know, I’ve been thinking…” before sharing his next great project. While not every idea made it to completion, many did—and often, those projects were for someone else’s benefit. If something needed doing, Tony was there, ready to make it happen.
Tony was not only a talented and dedicated member of our SPARK group, but he was also a true friend. His absence will be felt in countless ways, and his memory will live on in the many lives he touched.