Zachary Stevens Scolarship

Having the pleasure of knowing Zach throughout the years as he was growing up has been a wonderful gift that I am thankful for. Zach was always full of fun and brought his cheery attitude to all of us. This past deer season Zach shot his first deer on opening morning while sitting with his Dad. I grumbled a bit as I made my way there to check it out being it was still early in the morning and I was sure I would see my trophy walk thru any minute if I stayed. As I approached them I'm not sure whether Zach or his Dad was more excited/proud about him getting a deer! There is no better trophy than to witness the love between a father and his son. Bill and Zach showed us how to do it right !!!
Uncle Bob/Brother Bob - AA8PP

It is amazing how one single phone call can show you the mere fragility of life. When Chad and I heard about Zachary we were stunned beyond words. We just didn't want to believe it was possible. We then began talking about our memories of Zachary and our disbelief of how quickly the years had past, it seems like yesterday when we had camped by Sunken Lake in Posen and sat around a campfire with him and his family. I will always remember him as that fun little kid begging to go fishing. Our family would like to express our deepest, heartfelt, condolences at this time. He was a one in a million that will be greatly missed. God bless you,Bill,and your family. God bless Zachary's Mom as well. You will continue to be in our prayers.

Deb, Chad & Hannah Johnston
kc8fns & ki8cu

Zach Stevens KC8WIG, s.k.

To Zach and his mom and dad,
Taken from Exodus 19:4, text and music by J. Michael Joncas.
"He will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of His hand."
We as humans can only offer our love and consolation, but the Ultimate Consoler has taken Zach into His loving arms. Rest assured that Zach is with our Lord, his Creator, and his family will someday be reunited.
'73, young man, you and Bill were the best of father and son teams!
Joe Hickerson, N8JTQ
Micki Hickerson, N8VPS

I never knew Zach too well. My sympathy to his parents with regard to
this sudden and unexpected tragedy. Though morse code has been down graded
as a requirement in amateur radio, the expression "silent key" is still an
expression that denotes the finality of death. When it comes at such an
early age, to deny what would've been a very productive future, it
creates a deep sense of loss, more intense than if he had been a ham of many
decades standing.

Dick Heater WB8NIG

Although I didn't know Zach very well, I had the
pleasure of meeting him and talking to him on the
radio. Knowing his father as I do I know he was very
proud of Zach and loves him very much. It's very hard
for us to understand why, but the Lord has a grand
scheme for everything, and I know Zach was needed
elswhere. My thoughts and prayers are with you Bill.

Jim Volant, WB8LUH.

I have never met Zach, but from the conversations I have heard he must have been a great kid.. I know Bill loved him very much and Zach thought the same of Bill..
It is always a shame when we lose someone so young, and never able to understand why.. The Lord must have a very special job for Zach to do to call him home so early.
My prayers are with Bill and his family in this time of their loss..

Vince, N8JCN

KC8WIG
Please Donate to the Zachary Stevens Scholarship Fund today!
Check payable to ARRL, and send donation to:
Zachary Stevens Scholarship Fund
c/o Alpine Electronics
1349 South Otsego Ave. Unit 8
Gaylord MI, 49735
Isn't it amazing how someone can touch your life? I would like you, if you knew Zach to say a little something, funny story, or something nice.
e-mail us at tomarc_gaylord@yahoo.com

Zach, You will always be in our hearts and minds!

I never had the pleasure of meeting Zach in person, but I
always enjoyed hearing him check into the nets... he was so positive and full of life !
I cannot imagine the void he leaves in so many lives, but he will be remembered and never forgotten !
His fathers love for him was very obvious even over the radio, and I know he will be missed and remembered by all who knew him.
Bill, you and the family are in my prayers that God will give you peace and comfort in this most difficult of times.

Dave KC8YOX

Although I did not truly know Zach and his family, I am very saddened to learn of his tragic death. My heart goes out to the family over their great loss. As a parent, I can only imagine the tremendous sense of distress they must be feeling. I will remember each of them in my prayers and wish them the very best possible during this extremely trying period in their lives.

Jim Weaver, K8JE

Many times I have met Zach, always full of life and energy, ready to talk , have fun and just enjoyable to be around. We never know what God has in mind, and I am sure that Zach is in good hands now, and spreading the joy he did here on earth across the heavens....
You will be missed Zach.. Jeff, KB8TNY

Although I did not have the pleasure to know him well, I know how much
he was loved by his dad.
I can think of nothing worse to happen in this world than to lose a
child.
I am so sorry Bill to hear of his passing and your immense loss. I pray
for you and your family in this time of grief for this senseless loss.

Bill, K8MTN

I first met Zach when my son Lucas met him in first grade. I remember working in the classroom and Zach was one of the smallest kids had one of the biggest personalities. Zach and Luke were in first, second and third grade together. It wasn't until 9th grade when they became close again during freshman football. My son Lucas was 6' tall and 181 lbs and Zach was 5' and 110 lbs. But Zach was as tough as Lucas was any day of the week. I remember they both shaved their heads along with about a dozen other players the day of their first game. The camaraderie they shared that 7-1 freshman season is unparalleled. Zach wore #81 as a wide receiver.

Lucas went on the play JV ball the next year without Zach. But I must say that there wasn't a game that went by that Zach #81 was not remembered. The JV football team won game after game. It was the last game of the season. The team was 7-1. They lost many of their "starters" due to injuries and players being moved up to varsity and they only dressed 14 players for the final game against Cadillac. They were down by a touchdown at half time. It didn't seem that they had enough to battle back. It was snowing and about 35 degrees. The team knew that they had to fight to get the win for Zach as they were not going to accept anything less than a 8-1 season. I don't know how they did it, but I must admit that I was never surprised. The team pulled out the win and made the season complete at 8-1. No one ever doubted that Zach was there the entire time. #81 will be in our hearts always.

God Bless you Zach.

You are forever in our memories.

The Wickert's.

While we didn’t know Zach, we knew him through you, Bill. It was so
very obvious that you two were best of friends and that kind of relationship
between a father and son is a bond that is rare. We know there is
nothing we can say to make the pain go away. We hope that the thoughts and
prayers of your friends will give you and your family solace in this difficult
time.
Please know that we are thinking and prayer for you and your family and
we hope with time the memories of Zach will give you peace and joy.

Your friends, Randy (WB8YWG), Jeanine (KC8TGG), and Ian (KC8TGH) Rothe