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Gallery: N9KGR SK

Bruce Manser N9KGR (formerly KA9WSS) of Cleveland, Wisconsin became a Silent Key on December 26, 2022. 

Bruce was an active participant in various AM nets and a familiar presence at area hamfests for over 30 years.   He enjoyed collecting and restoring a wide range of boatanchor radios and was known for passing them along at low prices to encourage others to do the same.

Bruce John Manser, age 67, passed away December 27, 2022, at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Bruce was born April 16, 1955, to John Casper Manser and Frieda (Menzer) Manser (both proceeded Bruce in passing) at St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He is survived by his only sibling, Jean Mack, her husband Paul Mack, nephew, Edward Grimm, Wenatchee, WA, nieces, Jessica (Grimm) Willms, her husband Levi Willms, St.Cloud, MN and Natalie Ann Grimm, Cleveland, WI, as well as several great nieces and nephews. Bruce attended schools in Sheboygan and graduated from South High School in 1973.

Bruce traveled the country after high school and lived in the Boulder, Colorado area for a time. While there, Quasar, his favorite dog, found him. Next, he settled in Cleveland, Wisconsin after he purchased a 1920 farmhouse in the village where he continued to live until his passing. Bruce showed his skill for remodeling and love of wood when he enlarged the home early in his stay by taking off the roof and adding a second floor as well as building a garage and shed on the property.

Bruce had a variety of interests. He enjoyed Ham radio from high school on. He enjoyed contacting people all over the world and collected Ham “QSL” cards from every continent (except Antarctica). He attended many Ham fests selling and buying radios. He spent hours doing the repairs on many a radio. He received an advanced license in radio and several awards.

In 1999, Bruce purchased 40 acres in Centerville (Cleveland). He bought and rebuilt many tractors. He had quite a few in the works when he passed, he especially liked working on Deutz tractors. He also used the land for hunting and put in a pond that he stocked with fish. Even at the farm, Ham radios were never far from him as he had several large towers and radio set ups there.

In person, Bruce was a man of few words to most. However, when it came to and through ham radios, Bruce was known to speak with people across the country and even around the world. Of course, his closest friends in the Cleveland area could get him chatting over a beer and coffee. His unique perspective and knowledge of all mechanical things will be missed.