Paul E. Range

Paul Range, 84, died December 27th at his home in Palm Desert, CA following a long battle with Parkinson Disease and other health problems. Paul was born July 7th, 1922 to parents James Range and Edith (Johnson) Range in Rapid City, SD. He graduated from Rapid City High School in 1940 and started college at the SD School of Mines and Technology. In 1942 he joined the Navy and following Navy Radio school he served aboard a newly commissioned Destroyer in the Atlantic Ocean in WWII. After the war he returned to college and graduated from the School of Mines in 1947. He established a Radio Engineering Company and moved it to Omaha, NE in 1951, where he lived until 1954. Paul’s lifelong hobby was ham radio. He passed the tests and received his first call letters at the age of 13. He talked to other ham operators all over the world and made many friends, some of whom he was able to personally visit. Paul kept up with the rapid technology advances and his “rigs” were always state of the art. Paul was also an excellent auto repair person and many friends and relatives benefited from his help. Paul married Erma (McHone) Waring, a widow, in 1952 in Sioux Falls, SD. In 1954 they moved to Los Angeles, CA where Paul worked for Hughes Aircraft Company until he retired while on medical leave. Paul’s wife Erma passed away in 1981. He is survived by his present wife Lorna (Dowell) Range, Palm Desert, CA, two stepsons, three step grand-children and four step great grand-children. Other survivors include his brother, Donald Range (Marge), Rapid City, SD six cousins, two nephews and three nieces. Paul was preceded in death by his parents and several aunts and uncles.