January 9, 2025, 76, Turkey —
Dennis Ray Motschenbacher passed away on January 9, 2025 at the Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, North Carolina after a 14 year battle with cancer.
Dennis was born on January 25, 1948, in Moorhead, Minnesota to Niles Leo and Delores Mae (Snyder) Motschenbacher. In 1955, his family moved from Dilworth, MN to Costa Mesa, CA. Dennis graduated from Corona Del Mar High School in Newport Beach, CA in 1966.
Dennis had a lifetime passion for Amateur Radio. He showed his early interest in Amateur Radio by passing the FCC exam and getting his first Amateur Radio license at the very young age of 13. His Amateur Radio activities took him to 35 countries and his ham radio call sign, K7BV, was recognized all over the world. He competed on the U.S. Team in the World Radiosport Team Championship in 2000 in Slovenia and in his lifetime, won many national and international awards for his ham radio achievements.
After high school Dennis joined the U.S. Navy, and served in Vietnam, on the USS Canberra CAG-2. With his extensive radio experience, Dennis was a Radioman Third Class serving two years of active duty.
On July 27, 1968, in Costa Mesa, CA, Dennis married Patricia Lynn McCoy. They had two children: Tiffany Elizabeth Motschenbacher, and Patrick Dennis Motschenbacher.
On October 24, 1992, in Newport Beach, CA, Dennis married Lieska Sia, from Indonesia.
From 1976 through 2002, Dennis worked in the fire suppression industry, providing fire support systems for high-risk environments.
Dennis was the editor of National Contest Journal (NCJ) from 1998 to 2002. Dennis’ radio adventures were also the subject of numerous articles in many other ham radio magazines.
In April of 2002, Dennis moved to Connecticut to work for the ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League), the national organization for ham radio operators in the United States, as their Sales and Marketing Manager. Years later, when leaving the ARRL Dennis said, “I dreamed of working at ARRL HQ ever since I was a teenager, never really believing I would actually get here. It has been a terrific four and half years packed with lots of change and new friendships.”
Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Dennis went to Alabama to help oversee the intake of American Red Cross ham radio volunteers supporting communication at its 250 shelters and kitchens along the devastated US Gulf Coast.
In 2006, Dennis left the ARRL position to join Yaesu as their Executive Vice President of the Amateur Radio Sales Division until his retirement in 2019.
In anticipation of his retirement, Dennis’ goal was to find the best ham radio location possible and landed in Turkey, North Carolina. There he set up several antennas allowing him to work a whole spectrum of different frequencies and modes. It proved to be a great site for him during his retirement days allowing him to maintain contact with ham friends around the world. Not many people’s childhood hobby becomes a major part of their career and remains their passion well into retirement. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting trips with the extended family in Minnesota.
He had the incredible gifts of grit, focus, perserverance and endurance with non-stop stamina which allowed his extraordinary personality and fascinating storytelling to thrive.
Dennis was a loving husband and father, adored his grandchildren and was well loved by his extended family in Indonesia. Dennis had friends all over the world and cherished them near and far.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Patricia (McCoy) Motschenbacher and his sister, Linda (Motschenbacher) Manlove.
Dennis is survived by his brother, Larry Motschenbacher, his sister Susie Corbett Motschenbacher, his wife, Lieksa Motschenbacher, his two children, Tiffany (Said) Stabou and Patrick (Susan) Motschenbacher, and three grandchildren, Ahmed, Aisha, and Safiya.
Arrangements for his care have been made through Howell Funeral Home and Crematory in Goldsboro, NC.
A small graveside ceremony will be held at the Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro, NC on Friday, January 17, 2025 at Noon.
