Commander Richard Paton, USCGR (Ret) -- author of “Radio’s Role in the Titanic Disaster” in the April 2012 issue of QST -- was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Tolland, Connecticut on March 22. He is in the Intensive Care Unit at Hartford Hospital.

“It was a great shock to hear the news,” said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. “Dick and his wife Carol live in the same town that I do and sit right behind me at church. I knew nothing about his article until it was in print, because I was in Geneva attending WRC-12 while the April QST was being put together. My congratulatory e-mail reached him while he and Carol were on a cruise in the Pacific. The accident occurred soon after they returned home.”

Commander Paton, 67, was injured when his motorcycle collided with an automobile. At last report the accident was still under investigation.

“While Dick is not a radio amateur, his extensive maritime experience and inquiring mind combine to lead him to be curious about many of the things that intrigue us as hams,” Sumner said. “I hope ARRL members who enjoyed his contribution to QST will join me in keeping Dick in their thoughts and prayers as he fights to recover.”