Passed away
peacefully at The Glebe Centre, on September 19, 2024. Jack, in his 98th year,
beloved husband of Denise Belrose (née Fénal) for 68 years. Loving father of
Katherine (Rawi Zayadi), John, and Patrick (Wendi Belrose). He will be warmly
remembered by his grandchildren - Alexa, Josh, and Jesse - and his family in the
United States and France for his gentle demeanor, sense of humor, and love of
the outdoors. He was predeceased by sister, Ruth (Belrose, Robinson) Kelso.
Born
in Warner, Alberta, Jack developed a passion for radio communications during his
teen years and became a licensed radio amateur in 1947 (VE7QH, then VE3BLW and
until recently, VE2CV/VE3CVV). He enjoyed the company of his amateur radio
colleagues and regularly tuned in for midnight "skeds" and volunteered for Field
Days.
After completing his BASc in Electrical Engineering and MASc at the
University of British Columbia, Jack joined the Defense Research Board's Radio
Propagation Laboratory (RPL) in Ottawa. He was awarded an Athlone Fellowship in
1953 and was accepted as a PhD candidate by St. John's College, Cambridge
University, to study with the late J.A. Ratcliffe, then Head of the Radio Group,
Cavendish Laboratories.
Jack received his PhD from the University of Cambridge
(PhD Cantab) in Radio Physics in 1958. He returned to Ottawa where he continued
a lifelong career in Radio Science with the Communications Research Centre,
Shirley's Bay. When he retired, he was Director of the Radio Sciences Branch.
Throughout his years at CRC, Jack greatly appreciated the help of his team of
scientists and technologists as they pursued all sorts of research relating to
radio propagation, solar eclipse activity, and Canada's early satellite program.
Projects dear to his heart included the development of trail radio in Canada's
North and later, in retirement, recreating the experiments of Reginald Aubrey
Fessenden, a Canadian-American radio pioneer.
Jack served as Deputy Chairman and
then Chairman of the AGARD Electromagnetic Propagation Panel from 1979-83. He
was a Fellow Member of the Radio Club of America, a Life Member of the Antique
Wireless Association and the Quarter Century Wireless Association, and a Life
Senior Member of the IEEE (Antennas and Propagation Society). At the 98th annual
meeting of the Radio Club of America, in November 2007, he was awarded The
Armstrong Medal for his contributions to radio art and science.
A celebration of
Jack's life will take place with family and friends in November. The family
wishes to thank The Glebe Centre and its staff for the exceptional care he
received for the past three years. For those who wish, contributions in Jack's
memory may be directed to The Glebe Centre or a charity of your choice.
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