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Natalie, K9CAT

Natalie K. Andrews, K9CAT July 7, 1945 to July 24, 2003

Natalie Andrews was born Natalie Kay Young on July 7, 1945, in Terre Haute, IN. Her early years were spent in West Terre Haute, IN, until she moved to Newport, IN, in the middle 1950's, graduating from Newport High School in 1963.

Natalie married Donald Dee Carty in June of 1963 and they moved to Columbus, OH, where Dee was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. After spending a few years in Bloomington, IN, they returned to the Terre Haute, IN, area in 1972. Natalie & Dee separated in early 1992 and were divorced that September.

Natalie married Raymond N. Andrews, K9DUR, on December 31, 1992.

Natalie had an interest in radio and emergency communications for many years. She achieved her goal of becoming an amateur radio operator when she earned a Technician class license in June of 1992. She was originally issued the call sign N9QKH. In April 1997, she obtained the call sign K9CAT under the vanity call sign program. K9CAT was originally issued to Ray's brother, Robert L. Andrews, in the mid-1950's.

At the time of her death, Natalie was a member of the following amateur radio organizations: American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Wabash Valley Amateur Radio Association (WVARA), Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL), Crossroads of America Amateur Radio Ladies Association (CAARLA), Vigo County ARES, Illiana Skywarn, and the Terre Haute Radio Club. Natalie was an associate member of the Buckeye Belles and was a chapter associate of the Banks of the Wabash Chapter #204 of the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA).

Natalie served as the Secretary of the Wabash Valley Amateur Radio Association from January 2000 until December 2002. In February 2003, she was elected as the 1st President of the Crossroads of America Amateur Radio Ladies Association, a position she held until her death.

Other notable achievements in Natalie's amateur radio career include:

• Natalie assisted as a non-VE with VE test sessions between 1993 and 2002, handling the administrative paperwork.
• Natalie assisted with amateur radio classes sponsored by various organizations over the years by helping with administrative details and providing refreshments.
• Natalie actively served for several years with the Illliana Skywarn organization as a trained spotter.
• Natalie used her amateur radio experience to serve with the American Red Cross as a volunteer trained in damage assessment and as a Disaster Action Team member.
• In January 2003, Natalie helped to organize an amateur radio club in the Terre Haute area dedicated to furthering the participation of YLs in amateur radio and was elected to serve as its first president. This organization, the Crossroads of America Amateur Radio Ladies Association, is an affiliated club of the Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL).
• In the spring of 2000, Natalie was awarded the Everyday Hero Award by the Wabash Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.
• In October 2000, Natalie was awarded the coveted John K. Lamb Award for outstanding community service by the Greater Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce. This award is given annually and is the highest award given for volunteer community service in the Terre Haute area. Her amateur radio activities played a prominent role in her nomination for the award.
• On March 22, 2003, Ray & Natalie were jointly awarded the Brentlinger Award from the Wabash Valley Amateur Radio Association. This award is given annually to the outstanding amateur or amateurs from the Wabash Valley. In the 56-year history of the award, Natalie was the 1st YL to receive this prestigious honor.
• On November 15, 2003, Ray & Natalie were jointly presented the 2003 Indiana Outstanding Amateur-of-the-Year Award by the Indiana Radio Club Council. In the 55-year history of this award, this was only the 3rd time that it was presented to a husband-wife team, and Natalie is only the 6th YL to earn this recognition by her fellow amateurs.

On July 24, 2003, Natalie lost a 4-year battle with colon cancer. To her last breath, in typical Natalie fashion, she was more concerned for her friends and family and for the health professionals assisting her than she was for herself.