Capital Area OMIK Association, Inc.
Amateur Radio Repeater Club Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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In Memory of an Iconic Pioneer
WA5TQA, "Van"
We the members of the Capital Area OMIK Association, Inc. dedicate this club to the memory of WA5TQA, Vanue B. "Van" LaCour, a retired Law Professor, Lawyer and resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In August of 1991, a group of HAMs came together at the home of WA5TQA, "Van" and formed a club and named it "The Louisiana Capital Area OMIK Amateur Radio Club". Later the charter members agreed and applied for a 2 meter frequency pairs purchased a Motorola Micor repeater and installed it in Jones Hall on Southern University's Campus. Due to Van's extensive knowledge of the legal system the club has a charter, constitution and is incorporated; thus came the new name Capital Area OMIK Association, Inc. Van (WA5TQA), along with other HAMs have participated in several Hi-Five events, work with Red Cross, the I Care program, OMIK school Days and several HAM Radio demonstrations with elementary, high school and university students. It is because of Van's fortitude that the club repeater WA5TQA/R 145.450- with Echolink located on Tom Drive was an asset during and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The club is also affiliated with the OMIK Amateur Radio Association, Inc.
Other memorable facts about Van, he was a member of the Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Valedictorian of Central Colored High School in 1933, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Xavier University New Orleans, Louisiana in 1938, graduated Salutatorian, second in his class at Howard University Law School in 1941. He was a recipient of the Boy Scouts of American Beaver Award, he retired as Dean and Pioneer Faculty member of Southern University School of Law, was inducted into the National Bar Association Hall of Fame in 1988. He was also a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and responsible for the food bank program, a Ham Radio Operator and mentor to old and new members of the club. He is truly missed by all who knew him.
Our thanks to Van's family for allowing us the privilege to honor him and use his Call (WA5TQA) as an icon for the club as long as it exists!
