Ludek Charles Miniver

Ludek Charles (Lou) Miniver was born on February 17, 1930 just outside Prague, Czech Republic to Miloslav Mladejovsky and Manka Eder, oldest of two sons. He was sent to study to a boarding school at Bishop's College in the U.K., where he planned on attending Cambridge University, but was recalled back to Prague by his parents just after the war ended. He developed great interest and passion for short wave radio, and often listened to Radio Free Europe, which was illegal under the Czech law, and landed him a few days in prison. Shortly after that the family escaped war-torn Czech Republic, and ended up in a Germany. They spent time in German and Italian refugee camps, where Lou worked as a courier for General Patton and the American Army because of his English knowledge.
In 1946 the family immigrated to Australia, where Lou worked for Utah Construction, building The Eilden Dam. He continued his passion for radios and cars. While in Australia, he met and married his wife Jindra. In 1958 the family immigrated to the U.S. They eventually settled in Idaho Falls. In 1961, Lou's daughter Dasha was born. Lou's first job in Idaho Falls was repairing TV's. He later started Miniver Communications, which evolved into Intermountain Mobile Phone, the first company in the area to provide two-way radio service to local farmers, businesses, sheriff's department, and search and rescue groups. Lou was actively involved in ham radios until the day he died, communicating with other hammers around the world, including the astronauts on many Space Shuttles. He was a brilliant man, with a brilliant mind and hands. He could build and repair anything. Without any formal education or training, he built his own radio repeaters, towers, and radios, and wrote computer software for all his equipment. The love of his life, besides his family and radios, became Taylor Mountain and the Taylor Mountain Ski Resort, which the family operated for years. Many Eastern Idahoans and former Navy personnel enjoyed years of skiing at a local ski resort. The family enjoyed their time on Taylor. Even after the ski resort officially closed, he never stopped loving his mountain, spending countless hours there. Lou had a huge heart, and was an animal lover. His entire life he was surrounded by companion dogs, cats, large talking parrots, and never refused to pick up an abandoned or stray animal. Lou leaves behind his wife of 55 years Jindra, daughter Dasha (husband Bill Ayzin), grand daughter Katya, and brother Michael.
Memorial services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, December 29, 2012, at Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home, 825 E. 17th Street in Idaho Falls. A gathering for family and friends will be held from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. prior to the memorial service. In lieu of flowers family asks that you donate to Snake River Animal Shelter or the Upper Valley Humane Society.

Service Details.

Visitation

When: Saturday, December 29th, 2012
Location: Funeral Home
Address:

Service

When: Saturday, December 29th, 2012
Location: Funeral Home
Address: