The article I read on another site was dated 20 Oct 15 but I'm not certain that was the day he died. John R. Vodenik was an engineer at the old VoA Bethany (OH) site and was active in its dismantling. He was very active in the local amateur radio groups and attended a few Winter SWL Fests to represent VoA. As I recall, after Bethany was closed John was transferred to the Delano (CA) VoA site to assist in the dismantling of that station. Eventually he retired from engineering.

I met him at one of the earlier Fests I attended (maybe #9?) and talked with him about the problems I was having getting QSLs from the VoA - he filled out a card for Botswana on 7415 for me on the spot! And offered another card if I could remember the details of my reception of VoA programming on 1580 kHz from Antigua; naturally I couldn't remember, and by the time I found the information I had lost touch with him. Such is life...

And another friend of the SWL exits quietly...