Al Oubre (K5DPG), 1962

Past ARRL Vice Director, Director, Section Manager Al Oubre, K5DPG, SK

NEWINGTON, CT, Nov 29, 2005--Lionel A. "Al" Oubre, K5DPG, of New Iberia, Louisiana, died November 25, surrounded by his family. He was 64. An ARRL Life Member and Diamond Club member, Oubre served in the 1980s as ARRL Delta Division Vice Director and Director and from 1992 to 2000 as ARRL Louisiana Section Manager. ARRL Delta Division Director Rick Roderick, K5UR, says he and Oubre were friends for many years.

"He was always involved in and doing things for ham radio," Roderick said. "He left a strong record of helping make things better. I will miss him greatly."

Louisiana SM Mickey Cox, K5MC, who succeeded Oubre as Section Manager, recounted that after stepping down as SM, Oubre continued to serve the section as an Assistant SM and was the Section's Webmaster. He also was an ARRL Official Relay Station.

"In addition to being an active traffic handler on NTS and MARS nets, he was a mentor for many of us over the years," said Cox. "He will be truly missed."

In 1979, Oubre won a contested election for Delta Division Vice Director and took office January 1, 1980. When the Board elected then-Director Max Arnold, W4WHN, to be a Vice President, Oubre moved up to the Director's position. He served on the Board for two years, but lost a bid for a new term. Subsequently re-elected as Delta Division Vice Director, he held that position from 1984 until 1986.

More recently, Oubre was very active in the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications online courses, mentoring more than 225 students since 2002. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Oubre filled in for several weeks as Louisiana Section Emergency Coordinator.

A US Air Force veteran, Oubre was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and a past state commander of that organization. He also belonged to the American Legion and the Civil Air Patrol. Oubre held bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana-Lafayette), and he worked as a dispatcher for the New Iberia Police Department.

Oubre was a member of the A-1 Operator Club and the Acadiana Amateur Radio Association (AARA).

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn, KA5IJU, sons Michael, KC5HXL, and Eugene, and daughters Alice and Theresa. A service was held November 28 in New Iberia.