DA’s Key Has Fallen Silent

It is with deep sadness that we record the passing of Denice “DA” Stoops

DA was a part of our KPH project from the beginning.  She learned her trade at US Coast Guard master station NMC, adjacent to KPH. At NMC she earned the coveted gold lightning bolt radnoman’s insignia (there was no such thing as a radiowoman in the Coast Guard). She also acquired the salty vocabulary she needed to hold her own in the all-male world or Morse operators.

When her hitch in the Coast Guard was up she applied to be a Morse operator at KPH. She was hired by station manager Ed Brennan in 1979, become the first female operator at KPH. Ed told me several times that hiring Denice was one of the best decisions he made as manager. 

Coming from state of the art NMC with a full suite of brand new HF-80 series Collins equipment she was appalled to find the antique vacuum tube receivers still used at KPH ("They had to be calibrated!").  When KPH closed in 1997 she worked dispatching tow trucks and later for a window company always referred to as "the window mafia".  When we began our project to restore KPH DA was there to guide us in proper professional practices and procedures.

When Tom Horsefall and I restored a Victory Ship 4U radio console for the San Francisco Maritime Museum Denice joined us on Saturdays to demonstrate the console to visitors. \

She also operated from SS JEREMIAH O'BRIEN/KXCH

It's hard to believe now but when we first opened RS the gate was open and we had a hard time attracting visitors.  So with DA's assistance we put our first "Historic Radio Exhibit" sign out on Sir Francis Drake.

In 2010 Denice embarked on a new career in the merchant marine.  We treated her to a farewell dinner at a restaurant in Olema where Bill Ruck, Paul Shinn, Steve Hawes and I presented her with a special certificate.

She went through all the required safety training and soon began her new career at sea.

But sadly, as she was ready to depart on her second or third voyage she was struck down by a stroke in, I think, Singapore.  She continued to live independently for may years after that incident, driving and shopping on her own.  I often met her at the Palace Market in Point Reyes.

I know we all wish Denice fair winds and following seas and know that she still stands watch on 600m.

RD