Harold "Hal" Shafer Post

Harold “Hal” Shafer Post of Middle Grove, passed away in his home earlier this week at the age of 81. He was born to Lyle C. and Virginia R. Post and raised in Catskill. After high school, he graduated from Morrisville State College [now SUNY Morrisville] studying electrical engineering. He went on to serve for his country during the Vietnam War in the US Air Force. Returning from the war, he worked a few buildings over from his father at GE in Schenectady. In the mid-1980s, he moved to Intermagnetics General in Latham, where he finished his career as a technician working in the early days of superconductivity.

He was survived by his wife Antje Dirksen-Post, sister Sharon Smith (Donald) of Catskill, David Post (Janice) of Ft. Meade, FL, Richard Post (Ethel Ann) of Troy, daughter Juliana Post-Good and grandson Liam Post-Good of Niskayuna, son Charles S. Post (Sharlet) and grandson Luca, of Chicago, grandson Aiden Post of Nashville, cousin Paul Post (Bonnie) of Glens Falls, and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son Patrick Post in 2006 and cousin Brian Post (Bea) of Texas.

He was an avid ham radio operator known to the community by his call sign, AK2E. He communicated with people around the world long before the internet came into being. He was active with the Schenectady Amateur Radio Association (SARA) and the Amateur Radio Relay League, a life member involved in the ARRL Official Observer program which worked to monitor the airwaves for regulatory compliance. He was an Official Observer from 1989 — 2002 and served as an Official Observer Coordinator from 1995 — 2017, also named an Assistant Director of the ARRL Hudson Division in 2007, an honorary title. He volunteered on the communications team for the winter 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid, and he and his wife Antje attended ham fests and swap meets throughout the northeast to buy and sell gear as well as share camaraderie.

Hal had a vibrant and quirky sense of humor, always ready with a joke for grown-ups and an offer to kids to temporarily remove their thumbs. He played clarinet in high school and college, and enjoyed singing along to songs, often distorting the lyrics for comedic effect. He loved telling stories, though the listener never knew whether it would be real or a joke until it was too late to back out. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 5th at Compassionate Funeral Care, Inc., 402 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.  Family and friends may call from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

A private reception will follow.

Hal says 73s, till we meet again.

Interment with military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m on Friday, May 16, 2025 at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a volunteer organization in his honor.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.