W3BD 1939 Philadelphia, PA.

Willard Leroy Anspach, W3BD, ex-3BD, later W0BD and K4BD, Silent Key (1903-1965).

He was a multi-talented person. He was a gifted concert pianist, who appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra (1937), the Topeka Symphony Orchestra (1953) and others. He won a scholarship to study with American composer and pianist Leo Ornstein, and later studied under Alberto Jonas of New York.

Due to his unusual combination of pianistic talent and a thorough knowledge of radio technique, he became interested in the mechanical procedure used in broadcasts of symphony orchestras.

In 1925, Dr. Theodore Elsner of St. Paul's Church in Elkins Park (Philadelphia), applied for and received a broadcast license from the Department of Commerce. He chose the call letters WIBG, which stood for Why I Believe In God and broadcast his weekly church service over the station. Willard was the operator/engineer/announcer at radio station WIBG during the late 1920s. He was an engineer for radio station WCAU in the 1930s. He left his position as engineer at radio station KYW (Philadephia) in 1942 to enter the U.S. Army as an officer. Notice the WCAU and KYW banners on his wall.

He was active in Army MARS as A4BD from his residence at Signal Hill, Tennessee.

Willad Leroy Anspach was the son of Clarence Jacob Anspach and Arabella Willard. He was born in Philadelphia.

Photo from the estate of W2UNS
Info courtesy of W5KNE