Flaherty was born in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He received his
bachelor's degree in
electrical engineering and
mathematics from
Marquette University, and his
master's degree and
PhD in
electrical engineering from
Stanford University. He joined
Digital Equipment Corporation in 1994 and, as the Associated Press wrote: He held an
amateur radio Extra class license with the
call sign N9FZX. Was President, W6YX, Stanford Amateur Radio Club, 1986-1990. • Station Engineer, W6YX, Stanford Amateur Radio Club, 1990-1994. • Started the VHF+ mailing list in 1989. • Married to his
Stanford University sweetheart N6YBV (this number refers to her
amateur radio call sign). • An avid railfan photographer and past Assistant General Manager of the
Niles Canyon Railway. • Member of the Marquette chapter of
Triangle Fraternity as an undergrad, where he served as chapter President. He exercised his duties with honor and was well liked within the fraternity. • Member of the Sunnyvale Rod and Gun Club where he enjoyed
target shooting and
trap shooting. • While a grad student drove a 1979 Z28
Camaro with T-tops. At age 42, Flaherty died of a
heart attack at his home in
Belmont, California. ==References==