BlankFirst, my apologies to the Formentis; I didn't realize he had a brother Larry. I guess he must have been off to the service or college, because I never met him. Randy's dad died in June 2013, but his mom is still alive. Not to brag, but he didn't have the "youngest ham" title for long, five months later, I got my Novice at age 9. I'm trying to think of the five who would have had licenses then--Clark DeLor, Ricky Haynor, Randy Formenti, I know there were a bunch of us later on like Marcia, Fred, Rob, Steve Ray, Dave Gordon, and myself. I just can't recall the other two. Starting in 1965, Randy, Larry Allman, John Wa8mvh (can't remember his last name), and I would get together with a sighted ham Harold Bell Wa8LAY every Friday night. He would go over theory with us. We would rotate between each of the four houses, and their wives (Randy's Mom and my Mom at our houses) would make dessert. We did that weekly for probably three or four years every Friday night, except for the first Friday of the month when the Amateur Radio Club met. I always competed with Randy as far as being an independent traveler, doing things on ham radio, who could swing the highest at lunch on the swing set by the west end of Lions Hall, etc. etc. We spent a lot of time together either at Herb's or his house. When he started learning to play the organ, I got one and was taught by the same teacher--a real fat (politically correct, weight-challenged) dude by the name of Everett Hunt. I am surprised the organ bench withheld his weight. But, he was a helluva an organist. And, I live two blocks south of their house, in the Ravenswood subdivision, Lol. I remember as a kid I always liked their house; it was brick at least in the front; with a large living room, family room; a pool and a trampoline in the backyard. We didn't have as much contact in the past ten years or so. I will just say sometimes, he could be inconsiderate. And, eventually, he got banned from this list for his intemperate language. But, I miss him from the olden days. Anyway, here is an article on him from February, 1964. Amateur Radio Opens New Era To Blind ESCANABA Daily PRESS, LANSING—Randy Formenti. 11, who has been blind since birth, and whose first schooling was in the special department of the Escanaba Public Schools, is now in the sixth grade at the Michigan School for the Blind here and is most excited right now because he is a licensed “radio ham”—and can chat daily by radio with his grandfather in Iron Mountain. Randy enjoys swimming, diving, roller skating, wrestling and his classroom activities. He recently received his novice ham operator’s licence from the FCC. His call letters are WN8KLS. During the past holiday season, he had been sending and receiving messages by International Morse code five and six hours daily. He has communicated with other hams in Muskegon, Louiaville, Glen Falls, N. Y., and other distant points. Chat With Granddad There is one call that is a daily must for Randy. Each day he chats by code with his grandfather, Angelo Formenti, 65. Iron Mountain. A ham operator for about 35 years, he inspired his grandson to also become a ham. Randy was a premature baby when he was born. Because of the overuse of oxygen, he suffered retrolental fibroplasia or the shriveling of the retina, a defect which prevents the reflection of light. The child spent his kindergarten year in the special education department of the Escanaba Public Schools. He entered the Michigan School for the Blind the next year as a boarding student. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Formenti. decided the following year to move to Lansing to be near Randy. The father resigned his job as a patrolman with the Escanaba Police Department. Upon his arrival in Lansing, he looked around and found employment in the Plant Protection Department of Oldsmobile. Randy is now a day student at the School for the Blind. Transportation between home and school is provided through a special arrangement with the Lansing Board of Education. Youngest Ham He is the youngest of five ham radio operators among the 280 students at the school. Thanks to a cash gift, the institution will soon install a new transmitter and other amateur radio equipment for the use of the Amateur Radio Club. Randy’s mother assisted him in studying for a novice operator’s license with the use of a Question and Answer book issued by the Federal Communications Commission. The test was submitted to him by another ham operator. Jack Fortier. at Iron Mountain last summer. Randy received his FCC license and call letters in September. The boy is now able to transmit and receive by code at 20 to 25 words a minute, Randy learned the code from the State Library "talking books.” He’s now studying for a general license, which will permit him to go on phone. Randy learned the Braille system about five years ago. At the school this year, he’s studying science, language, arithmetic. reading and spelling. He says he likes school. The Forrnentis have three other children: Larry, 13, David, 15, and Jill, 2. They reside in the Ravenswood section at 3418 Springbrook Lane.