07/18/2026
Elkhart Hamfest Desk Announcement
Earlier this week, we lost a dear friend and colleague who was one of the firsthand supporters and encouragers of the establishment of the Elkhart Hamfest.
The Elkhart Hamfest wasn’t just an overnight idea. It was the result of countless conversations about bringing a new amateur radio event to our area—one that would be well organized, exciting, and built on integrity. Throughout that journey, Les Turner W9LRT was there every step of the way. He invested countless hours designing our website and flyers, answered phone calls at all hours to listen to my latest ideas, offered advice when needed, and simply lent an ear when I needed someone to talk to.
It’s difficult to put into words the impact Les had, not only on the Hamfest but on so many people around him. He held many titles throughout his life: son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and fellow amateur radio operator. Those titles only begin to describe the kind of person he was and the life he devoted to serving others.
This year’s Hamfest will certainly feel different without Les sitting just inside the entrance, listening to Hamfest radio traffic, running the slideshow, greeting guests with a smile, and handing out door prizes. Those simple moments became part of the tradition that many of us looked forward to each year.
While we will deeply miss his presence, we are incredibly grateful for the legacy he leaves behind. The Elkhart Hamfest exists in part because of his encouragement, his talents, and his unwavering belief in what this event could become.
On behalf of the Elkhart Hamfest committee, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Les’s family and loved ones. We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Thank you, Les, for your friendship, your dedication, and the lasting mark you’ve left on all of us. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
Elkhart East Hamfest
Northern Indiana K9DEW Repeater Network
Dewey
K9DEW
View Leslie R. Turner's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
