I had the good fortune to get to know Rhett Grotzinger nearly twenty years ago, first as a result of his leadership at Trident Microsystems in Asheville, North Carolina and later at Space Data Corp. Rhett was recently described by Mark Crosby, another wireless industry leader and CEO of the Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA), as an icon in the wireless industry. In addition to his wireless industry accomplishments, Rhett was passionate about aviation. Rhett logged over 4,000 flight hours in a wide variety of WWII era aircraft, much of that time in his own Stearman and his aerobatic Citabria. Rhett was an air show announcer for 26 years at the Quad City Air Show, only missing one year during that time, entertaining millions of people over the years.
Rhett's voice and persona was distinctive and it is no surprise that he became a radio & TV personality in South Texas known as "Rick Anthony" to his many followers. Rhett tells me that is how he broke into the business as young man.
A lifelong “Ham” and member of American Radio Relay League. Rhett was a Fellow in the Radio Club of America, served on the Asheville Airport Authority Board, WNC Girl Scout Council and wireless industry boards; a member of the Intl Council of Airshows, WNC Pilots Assoc, Experimental Aircraft Assoc, and donated his time to many local charities and aviation causes.
Rhett, at age 55, took his final flight Home on May 9, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer. At his side was his loving wife of 30 years, Holly Demarest Grotzinger and his beloved daughter, April Marie Grotzinger.
Godspeed Rhett, you will be remembered and missed by all who you influenced!
Rhett's voice and persona was distinctive and it is no surprise that he became a radio & TV personality in South Texas known as "Rick Anthony" to his many followers. Rhett tells me that is how he broke into the business as young man.
A lifelong “Ham” and member of American Radio Relay League. Rhett was a Fellow in the Radio Club of America, served on the Asheville Airport Authority Board, WNC Girl Scout Council and wireless industry boards; a member of the Intl Council of Airshows, WNC Pilots Assoc, Experimental Aircraft Assoc, and donated his time to many local charities and aviation causes.
Rhett, at age 55, took his final flight Home on May 9, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer. At his side was his loving wife of 30 years, Holly Demarest Grotzinger and his beloved daughter, April Marie Grotzinger.
Godspeed Rhett, you will be remembered and missed by all who you influenced!
Friends
of the Grotzinger family are invited to celebrate his amazing life on May 26 from 3-6pm at
his home in Asheville, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the
Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
