Liscum Diven

Diven, Liscum
Former ham operator and birder, Liscum Diven, died on May 17. He was 92. Liscum was a retired 32-year Motorola engineer, ham radio operator for 63 years and birder who identified more than 5,000 species during his lifetime. A resident of Scottsdale for 60 years, Mr. Diven purchased the historic Canal Bank Road property in 1956 with his wife, Lillian. There, the two created a sanctuary for not only nearly 90 desert trees but also for more than 170 species of birds recorded through the years. They lived in a 92-year-old landmark adobe cottage which was demolished a few years ago. Mr. Diven first acquired his ham radio license in the 1930s. As a young boy in Manhattan, he built his first transmitter and receiver. At his property in Scottsdale, his huge antenna towers enabled him to contact ham operators worldwide. He was one of the top ham radio operators in the world winning many contests. He had a broad knowledge of birds and traveled all over the world. He donated his entire extensive library to the Audubon Society in Tucson. Born in New York City September 18, 1918, he was the beloved husband of the late Lillian O'Neil Diven, a dedicated and honored volunteer for many years at the Desert Botanical Gardens. She passed away in 2002.