Kevin Miller, KM6AU, "Al Fansome"

[corq]

Kevin Miller, KM6AU, passed away May 5th 2022, from cardiac complications following a stroke. He is survived by 4 brothers and 2 sisters, and his longtime domestic partner, Lori Easterly.

He enjoyed the more esoteric radio hobbies, including “DXing” shortwave pirates, beginning his love of radio as a Caltech student making CB contacts via 70’s-era Tandy walkie-talkies. He never tired of hearing "weirdness" on the bands.

Kevin graduated from Caltech with a BS in Engineering in 1979. From home automation systems in the early 1980’s, to Industrial Control Systems and highway toll system infrastructure, he enjoyed a long engineering career, retiring in 2009 to move to Florida. Kevin was keenly curious to learn about this fabled “Florida man,” and inquire if he could apply for membership to this elite and fearless group.

He loved a variety of cats, big and small. He enjoyed the many friends and contacts he made at Winterfest, the radio forums, IRC WUNCLUB, and HF Underground Discord chats.

To his internet forum friends, he was simply the mischievous  “Al Fansome,” and he will be dearly missed.

[Skipmuck]

My deepest condolences to Kevin's family and Lori. When I got back into shortwave/pirate listening in the Fall of 2013, I quickly found the HFU and the irc pirate chat. Things were still in turmoil over a recent pirate war, so to speak, and as a newbie in the irc chat, I messaged Al to ask him his take on the decline of the FRN and the pirate war. He replied at length and made it clear what happened. From that point on, I was wary of a certain element of pirate radio. I will miss those middle of the night/early "off the cuff" morning posts on the irc and the Rocket chat! I miss the hijinks between Pigmeat and Al.....that was a formidable force to be reckoned with! Rest in peace Al....you will be remembered in the hobby as an icon!

[outhouse radio]

makes me sad to hear that --

rest in peace and may he catch all the weird dx

[curious george]

Very sorry to hear this.  My condolences to Lori and Kevin's family.

[Sealord]

Damn...I didn't know him personally, but enjoyed his presence and will miss his input.  RIP AF & condolences to you Corq & the Miller family.

[ChrisSmolinski]

Though I never had the chance to meet Kevin in person, we "knew" each other online for many years, back to the old IRC days, and probably before that. My condolences to his and Lori's families. He will be greatly missed.

[corq]

Thank you to everyone here <3

Fansome enjoyed the hobby to almost the exclusion of all other hobbies. When he worked late nights in Pennsylvania in the 90's and early 2000's, he'd listen for pirates from his test-bed "trailer" in Harrisburg. We became friends on IRC when I needed a quick resource on desert beacons while visiting Vegas for Defcon (spoilers: I never found any) but he had follow up security questions about a project he was working on, and we sort of grew fond of each other from there, finally meeting person at a DC-area meetup the year after.

He was painfully shy in person, but we hit it off, and he moved down a year later to join my household and rogue band of cats. As I understood it, prior to us meeting, he'd worked many long hours in the toll system projects, listening to the bands all night long (hence those weird, exhausted missives at 4am...). You guys helped him get through some very tough times through the early years before we'd met.

I hope it will provide comfort to you guys to know he had the radio at his bedside, enjoying his last few months with what he loved most. You are a wonderful community, and I'm so glad you were for here for us. <3

PS: And yes, I called him "Fanny" around the house, much to his chagrin...

[redhat]

I'm very sorry to hear of this.  I always enjoyed the banter between Al and Pigmeat.  Its been a little darker around here since.

All the best from myself and the OP to you Corq and friends and family.

+-RH

[Pigmeat]

Thank you to everyone here <3

Fansome enjoyed the hobby to almost the exclusion of all other hobbies. When he worked late nights in Pennsylvania in the 90's and early 2000's, he'd listen for pirates from his test-bed "trailer" in Harrisburg. We became friends on IRC when I needed a quick resource on desert beacons while visiting Vegas for Defcon (spoilers: I never found any) but he had follow up security questions about a project he was working on, and we sort of grew fond of each other from there, finally meeting person at a DC-area meetup the year after.

He was painfully shy in person, but we hit it off, and he moved down a year later to join my household and rogue band of cats. As I understood it, prior to us meeting, he'd worked many long hours in the toll system projects, listening to the bands all night long (hence those weird, exhausted missives at 4am...). You guys helped him get through some very tough times through the early years before we'd met.

I hope it will provide comfort to you guys to know he had the radio at his bedside, enjoying his last few months with what he loved most. You are a wonderful community, and I'm so glad you were for here for us. <3

PS: And yes, I called him "Fanny" around the house, much to his chagrin...

You were the best thing to ever happen to him, Corq. I can remember the night he told me he was moving to Florida. He asked me if he
should do it. I told him, "Why not, it's not like you're getting any younger." and he was off to Florida. BTW, that "Fanny" thing provided me with much ammo in our 20 year "feud."

I'm still in shock over the news.

[Pigmeat]

Al Fansome isn't dead, he's resurrected at CalTech. He always has and always will as long as that institution survives. Hail the risen Alluvial O. Fansome! 

[MDK2]

Al Fansome isn't dead, he's resurrected at CalTech. He always has and always will as long as that institution survives. Hail the risen Alluvial O. Fansome!

Speaking of shock, I'm in shock to see you again after a very long absence. Welcome back!

I don't read most of the boards here these days, and just happened to see that you had the latest comment and I thought, huh? Where you been? I honestly thought you must have passed away.

Regarding Fansome, I'm afraid I didn't have enough interactions with him. I know he was an important figure in the pirate community, but I came along too late to get the jokes which clearly were among friends. But I am sorry to read about his passing. Here's hoping the best for those he's leaving behind.

[Sealord]

Speaking of shock, I'm in shock to see you again after a very long absence. Welcome back!

Glad to see you back as well Pigmeat!

[Pigmeat]

Thank you. I'd given up broadcasting in 2009, then stuck around long enough to protect others from the Wabbit gang's clutches. When I found out the Wabbit was actually dead and not faking it again, I moved on.

I wouldn't have missed my pal Al's send off for anything in the world. His likeness should be put on Mount Rushmore.

[MDK2]

Thank you. I'd given up broadcasting in 2009, then stuck around long enough to protect others from the Wabbit gang's clutches. When I found out the Wabbit was actually dead and not faking it again, I moved on.

I wouldn't have missed my pal Al's send off for anything in the world. His likeness should be put on Mount Rushmore.

Fair enough. Just want you to know that you've been missed around these parts. Al will be too. Take care, but do check in every now and again.

[corq]

Fansome lives on in those who believe ;-)

Pigmeat was Fansome's spirit animal.

 I am thankful for Pigmeat's return.

Long live Pigmeat.

Long Live Al Fansome.