Hobart Gene “Hoby” McLaughlin

October 17th, 1932 - June 27th, 2022

Hobart's Memory Wall

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In the last couple of days, I have been reflecting on Hoby and his service to the MARS program, both AFMARS and AMARS. He entered MARS service on 20 APR 1967, that's 55 years of service in MARS. In that time he acted as a mentor to almost every single MARS member, both Army and Air Force, in the 5th FEMA region and beyond. His signal reached to the four corners of the Region/Wing and beyond. He could receive almost as well and oftentimes acted as a relay station for those that couldn't directly reach the net control station (NCS). If anyone deserves the moniker "The voice of the 5th Wing", it would be Hoby.

Rest easy Hoby, your tour of duty has ended. We'll keep the watch from here.

Joe Montano
5th Wing Commander
AFMARS

Joe Montano

June 29th, 2022 at 7:49pm

Below is the text for the Last Call or End of Watch that police and fire departments conduct for fallen members. This text that will be read on all Air Force MARS radio nets on Thursday June 30th to honor are fallen friend.

”Well hello there youngin’”
This short hello was something that you will always remember about Hoby, the only thing he ever said to me when I called him on the phone. My answer was always, “Howdy old man” and off we go on something radio related. His gravely voice was very distinctive and recognized by everyone who was lucky enough to talk with him about the service he provided to hundreds if not thousands during his 55 years as a MARS member.
To all his family and friends that had the privilege of meeting him, you have lost a precious family member and friend. To all his radio family we have lost a resource that will be sorely missed and hard to replace. Time will go on and someone will fill the need but filling the heart and soul of his commitment to MARS will never be forgotten.
LAST CALL

AFZ5HF, THIS IS AFA5WR, OVER
AFZ5HF, THIS IS AFA5WR, OVER
AFZ5HF, THIS IS AFA5WR, OVER
THIS IS AFA5WR, AFZ5HF IS NOW A SILENT KEY, AR (OUT)

Edward Finlay

June 29th, 2022 at 6:52pm

I only knew Hoby for about 7 years but he is one of the giants whenever I think about ham radio and MARS. He was always there to lend a helping hand and a kind word of encouragement, and you could always count on him for a relay when everything else failed. His strong station and distinctive voice were a beacon. Hoby was a true professional and the consummate gentleman, a role model for the rest of us. He will be greatly missed.