Robert G. Gorham
(January 26, 1927 - March 5, 2015)

Robert Guy Gorham, 88, of Ona, WV, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2015 at Midland Meadows Senior Living, Ona, WV. He was born January 26, 1927 in Dayton, OH, the only son of the late Herbert J. Gorham and Angela Beatrice Brown. He moved to Charleston, WV as a young child and graduated from Charleston High School. While in high school he worked for Chemical City Inc. and repaired radios and TV’s. After high school he joined the Navy, where he built on his interests in electronics, learning radar and communications as well. When he was released from the Navy, Mr. Gorham started working for and retired from IBM after 39 years of service. He was a computer system installer and service technician, repairing all of the IBM equipment he helped install. After retirement he and his wife Naomi bought a farm out in the Glenwood, WV area. They built their own log cabin house and Mr. Gorham finished the complete inside of the structure. While on the farm he and his wife were members of the Kanawaha Valley Beekeepers Association and they raised goats. After his wife passed away he moved to Midland Meadows where he lived independently in one of the Cottages. He enjoyed music, especially classical music, and played several instruments including the piano. His favorite instrument in the last years of his life was his ukulele, which he often played to entertain the residents at Midland Meadows. He also occasionally played at the Milton United Methodist Church. Mr. Gorham was an active member of the MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System) group, he was an officer in the West Virginia Civil Air Patrol, as well as a member of the West Virginia Amateur Radio Emergency Communications group. His amateur radio call sign was KC8VV. He was a contributing member and docent at the Radio and Technology Museum in Huntington, WV. He helped build the displays, repaired equipment and was considered a source of knowledge for the various displays of radios, phonographs, TV’s and computers housed in the museum. He is survived by four children, Robert G. Gorham, Jr. of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, William D. Gorham of Apopka, FL, Steven L. Gorham of Monrovia, MD and Linda C. Cooke of Downington, PA; 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Heck Funeral Home, Milton.