W2JIO 1938 Old Bridge, NJ

Robert W. Gunderson, W2JIO (b.1909) Winner of General Electric’s Ham Of the Year, “Edison Radio Amateur Award” in 1956. Blind since birth, Gunderson was featured in this original vintage United Press International photo at the age of 36 along with wife Lillian. Gunderson is shown in New York preparing an issue of the electronics magazine he published in Braille. He “refused to consider that blindness was more than a minor incident in his life.” His magazine, a one-man venture, was sold or given to blind technicians all over the world. He also invented more than 30 types of instruments for use by blind radio and TV workers. Gunderson also taught electronics at the New York Institute For the Education Of the Blind. It’s little wonder he was chosen for the Award. He also worked at Radio Row in NYC.

Please read his tribute by W8SU!

QSL from the estate of W2JXN, W2JLW, W6ZNO
Photo courtesy of NL7XM
Info courtesy of NL7XM, W8SU