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Victor Poor Obituary
Victor Dale Poor, 79, died on Friday, August 17, 2012. He was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Pinckney Peyton Poor and Leona Lucille Poor nee Mallory, both deceased.
He is survived by his wife, Florence Ann Poor; son, Meredith Norman Poor; daughters, Shirley Jean Schmidt and Noreen Dell Poor; and sister, Dixie Lee Hagerth.
As a boy Victor had a passion for radio communications: by high school he had built from discarded radios his own radio transceiver and by 1951 he was an amateur radio operator with radio call sign W6JSO. He served for four years in the US Navy as an electronics technician, which helped launch his remarkable career in electronics and the computer industry. Victor was a principal in his start-up company Frederick Electronics in Frederick, Maryland, from 1959 to 1969, technical director of Datapoint Corporation in San Antonio, Texas, from 1969 until his first retirement in 1984, and president of Image Data Corporation between 1985 and 1988. During his tenure at Datapoint Corporation, Victor contributed significantly to the development of the first computer microprocessor. In 1994, he moved to Melbourne, Florida, to serve as interim president for AirNet, which was a company spun off from Harris Corporation.
Victor's lifelong hobbies were operating amateur radio, flying airplanes, and sailing boats.
Victor and his wife Florence loved to sail. Their earliest cruises were out of Corpus Christi, Texas, and included adventures to the Yucatan peninsula. In 1984, Victor and Florence sailed their 50-ft sloop Elsinore across the Atlantic Ocean and toured the western Mediterranean Sea; between 1988 and 1990, they lived aboard a 37-ft catamaran Aransas Light and explored the coastlines of the Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, and the eastern seaboard as far north as the Chesapeake Bay; between 1990 and 1994 they moved to a diesel-powered 50-ft trawler Excaliber to sightsee along the Inland Waterway between Seattle, Washington, and Skagway, Alaska.
The challenges of communicating by radio while at sea led Victor to develop software that integrates Internet with amateur radio to store and forward messages; this system is today part of a major amateur-supported emergency communications network.
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Memories and Condolences
for Victor Poor
Serena R. Solis - Nichols
September 18, 2012
To Meredith N. Poor,
We are saddened to hear of the passing of your father. On behalf of the Solis family, I would like to express my condolences to you, your mother and your two sisters. We know how it to lose a parent, and no matter their age, it still seems to soon for them to leave us.
Our mother, Alice R. Solis (d.-May 2002) was truly impressed by your father and all of his great accomplishments. Our grandmother, Celia S. Marroquin (d.-May 2009), also thought very well of your father and your whole family. I offer my deepest sympathies to you and your family at this sad time on their behalf.
On a personal note, I feel privileged to have met Victor Poor in person. I was influenced in my formative years by knowing you, Mr. Poor and your family.
I offer prayers and comfort to you on behalf of my two sisters, Cindy Solis Sauceda and Cheryl Ann Solis. Remembering your father, his genius and his sharp wit with fondness.
With Deepest Sympathy For His Loss, Your Former Sister-In-Law, Serena R. Solis-Nichols
Richard Bosch
August 23, 2012
Victor,
I never had the opportunity or the chance to meet or to work with you.. But everything that has been written about you here and from ARRL. You are an individual that has touched many lives.
I know amateur radio will miss you.
Ride the radio waves.
Richard Bosch
KJ4WWB
Christina Gast
August 23, 2012
My heart is with you and your family.
Silvia Calderon
August 23, 2012
A new life began for him full of peace happiness and love. We pray for the calm of his beloved ones, especially Dr. Poor. Blessings from Venezuela
August 23, 2012
Flo, Kathe and I were sad to hear the news. We had a wonderful 14 years at Datapoint together. We will always remember sailing with the two of you out of Corpus Christi.
Bob & Kathe Behrend
Gena Kurth
August 22, 2012
Sorry that I didn't get to know him in his later years, I remember him as my cousin that came to visit. Aunt Leona was a special person to me. I'll keep all of you in my prayers.
Susan Finch
August 22, 2012
A brilliant and wonderful man, I worked with Vic Poor at Datapoint Corporation. What a fabulous life and legacy. Our hearts and prayers go out to Vic and his family, and we will hold him fondly in our memories. God Bless You. Susan Finch
Tom Bernard
August 22, 2012
Dear Noreen
Your loss is great indeed. Please accept my condolences.
The memories you have will last forever and I hope that that will carry you through this difficult time.
My very best regards to your family.
Gordon Peterson
August 22, 2012
I was honored to work under Vic for more than nine years during my career in R&D at Datapoint Corporation. He was instrumental in changing the face of business data processing, helping the world move from the mainframe era of big monolithic computers to the modern era of distributed networks of smaller computers. I always had great respect for him, and his open-door policy always made me feel like I could share anything I wanted to with him. His technical contributions to the field will greatly outlive him, and I'm glad that he was able to enjoy his retirement years so fully, able to do so many of the things he enjoyed so much. Vic, you did great things, and we'll never forget your many wonderful accomplishments. May you rest in your (very well-earned!!) peace!!!
Dave and Kay Ferguson
August 22, 2012
Dear Flo, Noreen, Meredith and Shirley Jean,
My memories of Vic as a boy were that he was not very social, he was some what reclusive and had to be drawn out to get him involved in a conversation. We had little contact for many years and it was a delight to see the changes that time and maturity brought to him. I know he had accomplished much in his life, however, I am somewhat blown away when I read the articles about him. He was truly a pioneer in his field. Our hearts go out to you in your lose. In her later life my mother, Vic's cousin, stopped telling people goodbye when they left, instead she would say, "I'll see you later". I believe we will all see him later. He has gone ahead of us to a new frontier. All of you including Vic remain in my prayers.
Love from us,
Cousin Dave and Kay Ferguson
Frank & Barbara Neu
August 20, 2012
Dear Flo, Noreen, Shirley Jean & Meredith, We are so very sorry to hear about the loss of Vic, your dearest husband and father. We had hoped to make a trip from California to Florida before this happened. We will keep him and all of you in our hearts and prayers. Love, Frank & Barbara
Ra
August 20, 2012
I met him through his wife at B&N, being affiliated with her writing group. As a born again Christian I can say with revelation knowledge the Promised Land in this life is a metaphor for the Promised Land in the next. It is real, a bountiful land flowing with milk and honey, and I felt a sense of peace from this man as though that is his home. I did!
August 20, 2012
I had the pleasure working with Vic several years ago, and always remembered as such a very nice man. My condolences for your loss.
Barbara Kennedy
August 20, 2012
Dear Noreen and family - I am saddened hearing of your father's passing. I met him once here at the College and heard many stories about his life. He was a strong and handsome man and the stories told me that he lived life to the fullest. Your memories of him will be with you for as long as you live.
Thinking of you during this sad time.
Warmly,
Barbara Kennedy
Karen Krewer
August 20, 2012
Dear Noreen, Your Dad had may accomplishments but none more glorious than his children. You are his legacy and have done him proud with your striving for excellence, devotion and support. In this time of loss remember the good times you've had together and the common bond you share.
MK Ramadoss
August 20, 2012
I had infrequent contact with him when I worked at Datapoint and he was always easily approachable and was simple and direct in his interaction. Was very humble. I cherish happy memories of my meetings with him. May his soul rest in peace.
Nancy Lessard
August 20, 2012
Vic had an illustrious career and adventurous life. He touched so many lives. I know that he will be missed beyond what words can say. My heartfelt condolences to family and friends.
August 19, 2012
Dear Flo, Noreen, Shirley Jean, Meredith, and Family,
Our very deepest sympathy to all of you.
We will treasure our memories of Vic and miss him so much.
Eugenie and Dario
Keith Petersen
Keith Petersen
August 19, 2012
I shall always be grateful for the help and encouragement Vic gave to me as I learned and matured in my Amateur Radio RTTY (Radio Teletype) hobby.
73 until we meet again, SK de w8sdz
Jan Heise
August 19, 2012
Vic will be missed by all those he touched in so many ways. There are very few who will equal his contributions in electronics, communications and amateur radio. Yet, he was always modest and unassuming.
God Bless you Vic.
Jan, K4QD
President, Platinum Coast Amateur Radio Society
Paul Tate
August 19, 2012
Dear Poor Family,
I'm very sorry for your loss. The loss of a loved one is never easy and my prays are with you. May your pain soften quickly.
Ken Bryan
August 19, 2012
The tragedy of life is that those who shine the brightest and serve to illuminate the most, leave the world far too quickly creating a deep void in their absence. My sincerest condolences...
Elane Scott
August 19, 2012
There are always those like Vic who do so much but expect so little attention In return. I look forward to more stories and more sharing with my cousins . A blessing to the whole family. Much Love, Elane
August 19, 2012
We will dearly miss our friend Vic whose early morning good humor enriched our Sunday breakfasts for more than ten years. Thoughts are with Flo and all Vic's family. Dawn and Bob Schnuck
Frank & Annie Hellen Thomas
August 19, 2012
Dear Flo,
Annie Hellen and I are shocked to learn of Vic's passing.
Please accept our deepest sympathy.
God bless you.
Lee Hatfield Jr
August 17, 2012
My Condolences, God Bless and Comfort all who knew Mr Poor
Victor had an Extra Class Amateur Radio License, the Highest Class available to Hams, his Current Call Sign was W5SMM
Vic Poor, W5SMM, Receives ARRL President's Award;
On July 9, Victor (Vic) Poor, W5SMM, of Melbourne, Florida, was awarded the ARRL President's Award at the Platinum Coast Amateur Radio Society's (PCARS) monthly meeting that was attended by nearly 100 hams and non-hams, many from out of town. There have been only a handful of recipients of this prestigious award.
W5SMM Silent Key
73 K2HAT
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