SILENT KEY                                        It is with Sadness:                                               SILENT KEY

Gilbert (Gil) Rehm Houck – SK – W3BXO

January 20, 1929 – July 24, 2018

Col. Gilbert Rehm Houck, 89, of New Cumberland, died July 24, 2018 at the Hospice of Central PA Carolyn Croxton Slane Residence, Susquehanna Twp.
Son of the late Frederick W. and Mary Ellen (Mark) Houck, Gil was born on January 20, 1929, in Harrisburg.
Gil was preceded in death by not only his parents, but also his wife, Marjorie E. (Shearer) Houck. He leaves behind his two companions and support system, Karen Barbaretta, of Harrisburg, and Jeni Ford, of New Cumberland.
Gil graduated from the former New Cumberland High School (’46) and then joined the United States Army, serving his time during the Army Occupation of Germany from 1946-1948. Following this period, he returned to school, obtaining his bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College (’52), with a Chemistry major and a minor in Physics; he was also a 4-year Sigma Alpha Epsilon brother, becoming fraternity president his senior year.
He entered the USAR in 1948, serving until 1986, and retired from the military with the rank of Full Bird Colonel.
In the private sector:
Consultant/Principal, Houck & Bowen Engrs (New Cumberland PA)
Chemist, Klein Chocolate Co (Elizabethtown PA) 1952/56
Crystal Design Engr, Hill Elect Co (Merchanicsburg PA) 1956/62
Pres, Crystronics Inc (Carlisle PA) 1962/63
Dir of Crystal Engrg, McCoy Elect Inc (Mt Holly Springs PA) 1963/87
Gil retired from McCoy Electronics, Mt. Holly Springs, as the Director of Crystal Engineering.
Amateur radio since 1955; He was a member of the ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay league)
Secretary Emeritus of the Radio Club of America, NYC, RCA Director 1985/92; Fellow 1990; Editor of The Newsletter 1991/92; Secretary 1993/present.
Lifetime member of VFW Post 7415 and American Legion Post 143, both of New Cumberland.

He enjoyed boating and fishing.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on August 9, 2018, at Parthemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services, New Cumberland. Private committal services and burial will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, East Hanover Twp. A visitation will take place one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Gil’s name to the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, Inc. (humanesocietyhbg.org), 7790 Grayson Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17111.
For more information, or to send messages of condolence, please visit www.parthemore.com.
Published by Patriot-News from Jul. 28 to Jul. 29, 2018.

Radio Club of America 2005 listing:

NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS COMMITTEE: CHAIR – Gilbert R. Houck – W3BXO; (M85 F90); 325 Market Street, New Cumberland PA 17070-2151; b. 1/20/29, Harrisburg, PA; married. Consultant/Principal, Houck & Bowen Engrs (New Cumberland PA). Chemist, Klein Chocolate Co (Elizabethtown PA) 1952/56; Crystal Design Engr, Hill Elect Co (Merchanicsburg PA) 1956/62; Pres, Crystronics Inc (Carlisle PA) 1962/63; Dir of Crystal Engrg, McCoy Elect Inc (Mt Holly Springs PA) 1963/87; BS, Dickinson College (Carlisle PA) 1952; US Army Career Offcrs Mgmgt Course 1968; US Army Command & Gen’l Staff College 1974; Industrial College of the Armed Forces 1978; US Army Air-War College 1986; PFC, US Army 1946/48; Colonel, US Army Reserves Medical Services 1948/87; RCA Director 1985/92; Fellow 1990; Editor of The Newsletter 1991/92; Secretary 1993/present; AWA; ARRL; Veteran of Foreign Wars; American Legion & Reserve Offcrs Assn; amateur radio since 1955; boating; fishing.