Duane F. Eyeman

Duane F. “Mike” Eyman, 78, of Ottawa, Kan., died on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, at his home. He was born on July 28, 1930, in Topeka, Kan., and was the son of Earl and Birdie (Freeland) Eyman, both of whom preceded him in death. Mike entered military service at Ft. Leavenworth in January 1945. After 12 weeks of infantry training at Camp Fannin, Texas, his true age (14) was discovered, and he received an honorable discharge in May, becoming Kansas’ youngest veteran. At age 16, he rejoined the U.S. Army and was sent to Puerto Rico. His army career ended on Christmas Eve, 1949, when he was discharged. He was recalled to active service in 1950 and entered the USAF as an airborne radio operator, flying in Korea during the war. U.S. Air Force assignments included Brady Field, Japan; Memphis Municipal Airport; Tachikawa, Japan; MacDill AFB, Florida; Wheelus AB, Libya; Wethersfield, England; Carswell AFB, Texas; Kadena AB, Okinawa, and Richards-Gebaur AFB, Missouri. Some of his more interesting experiences included being a part of the first team sent to retrieve the bodies of the crew of the Lady Be Good, which was lost in the desert during World War II, flying the Queen of Libya to various destinations, and serving with the United Nations during the Congo rebellion. Mike retired from the Air Force in 1975 and moved to the Bush City area, south of Garnett, where he lived until moving to Ottawa earlier this year. He attended college after retirement from the USAF, graduating from Allen County Junior College in 1977 with an associate of arts degree, and earning a bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas in 1979. He enrolled in Pittsburg State University’s master’s program in electronics, and while attending classes he began teaching technical seminars for the American Institute of Professional Education, based in Madison, N.J., In 1983, he and his wife started a seminar business, and Mike taught microprocessor troubleshooting and repair seminars in cities across the country and conducted on-site seminars for many companies and government agencies for 11 years. After serving many years on the Anderson County Planning Commission, he served as Director of Planning and Zoning for Anderson County. Amateur radio was an important part of his life, and his call sign was W0XM. He was first licensed in 1954 and had licenses in the U.S., Libya, Greenland, Guam, Hong Kong and Okinawa. He enjoyed being on the air, collecting and repairing equipment and meeting other hams in this country and around the world. He traveled to Germany, Ireland, Sicily and New Zealand to attend ham radio meetings. Mike was a very outgoing and social person who loved gatherings of family and friends. He was also a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed riding his BMW motorcycle. Mike was an AF MARS (Military Affiliated Radio System) member for many years and served as chief, affiliate members, while at Richards-Gebaur AFB. He belonged to the American Legion, VFW, DAV, and was a longtime member of national amateur radio organizations, including the ARRL and QCWA. He was past chair of Anderson County Republicans. Mike was united in marriage to Laverna Hicks and later divorced. They had one daughter, Karen Louise Eyman. On Nov. 5, 1968, Mike married Kay (McHenry) Green in Naha, Okinawa. She survives of their home. He also is survived by his brother, Donald E. Eyman, and his wife, Doris, of Oregon City, Oregon; his mother-in-law, Orpha Joyce McHenry, of the home; his daughter, Karen Adams, of Rosedale, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Caren Rugg, and her husband, Terry, of Ottawa, Kan.; a stepson, Billy Green, and his wife, Toni, of Garnett, Kan.; and four grandchildren, Amy and Bobby Adams, Josh Young and Molly Rugg. Mr. Eyman has been cremated and an inurnment service will be at the McHenry Family Cemetery in La Plata, Mo., Oct. 18. A Celebration of Life will be at the family home at 321 W. Third St, Ottawa, Kan., from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19. Those who enjoyed hearing his stories are invited to attend and share stories of their own about him. The family suggests memorial contributions to Centerville Community Church Building Fund or East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa KS 66067.