The Last Arrow
A Memorial page to WTA Members that have passed on.
Joe
Huber Wausau, Wisconsin born December 14, 1945 died
October 27, 2018 72 years of age
Joe spent his entire adult life in archery
and it was all with traditional equipment. Joe bought a new Wing
Thunderbird Hunter bow September 26, 1968 from Ed Schultz
Archery in Wausau for $79.95 and the Family still has the
receipt. Joe did all his hunting and most of his target archery
with that bow. The only time he unstrung the bow was to put on a
new String that I would make for him. He shot many whitetail
deer in Wisconsin. Joe also shot mule deer and one bull elk in
Colorado. Joe also shot Archery Golf for many years, and won
many times in the Traditional Class. Joe always gave back to
Archery (his sport) with working with the youth. Most of the
time was spent at Rib Mountain Bowmen with new youth shooters,
Boy and Girl Scouts, church groups and most recently a High
School class at the Club. Joe was a long-time member of
Wisconsin Bowhunters, Wisconsin Traditional Archers, and his
real love and devotion was the Rib Mountain Bowmen. He was a
member from 1961 until his death. He served on the Board for
many years and was the President for many years. Joe was also
one of 3 members that started the Summer Broached League at
Wausau Rib Mountain Bowmen in 1970. The League still is running
today. If someone wanted to know something about the RMB Club
they would always say, “Ask Joe”. It really was Joe’s Club for
all those years. It has been a tradition to shoot an arrow off
at the Fall Hunt for a past WTA member that attended the Hunt. I
will be making the arrow for Joe and if able will shoot his
arrow off for the last time at this year’s Hunt. Joe will be
missed by his Family and all of his Archery friends. I just hope
that Joe will save me a great Deer Stand when I get there. Your
Old and Long-time Bowhunting
and Archery
Buddy George Henrich Sr.
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Ronald
J (Ron) Wood
Mosinee, Wisconsin
born December 11, 1956
died October 28, 2017
60 years of age
Ron was a member of Rib Mountain Bowmen and a member of
Wisconsin Traditional Archers. Ron was a regular at the WTA
Annual Fall Hunt. He was known for bringing two kayaks along on
top of his Jeep and encouraging others to take a paddle on the
water. Ron was an all around athletic man. Skiing, was his
winter passion, finishing the legendary American Birkebeiner ski
race 25 times! He would camp in his familiar little orange tent
at the WTA Fall Hunt. Pitching in and lending a hand with any
camp activity with a friendly smile was just Ron, cutting fire
wood, water hauling, shelter building, etc. He had an extensive
collection of traditional bows that he picked up here and there,
often gifting one of these bows to an archer in need. Ron shot a
variety of different traditional bows. He enjoyed crafting of
various items. Ron admired Aldo Leopold the father of ecology
and followed his land ethics.He lived in Rhinelander most of his
early life. His famous beer chile was his signature dish brought
to gatherings. Everywhere Ron went he was greeted warmly with
handshakes and hugs by those who had met him. Measure not a man
by the size or amount of horns hanging on his wall, but by the
size of his heart.
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Linn C. Nelson, age 75 Passed
Away, November 14, 2015
If you ever traveled to archery shoots with Wisconsin or
out of state IBO Shoots you most certainly would have at some
point met Mr. Linn C. Nelson. Linn was an excellent shot and a
fierce competitor. He favored his old Slim Line Wing take down
Recurve above all else. Some of us called him the man with the
black bow. Upon seeing a friend Linn would light up with a big
smile and give you’re a hearty hand shake. He was not shy about
helping others and felt it was always important to promote
archery. If he saw you have a form deficiency he would offer up
advice. If you were especially close, the advice would come with
some sort of joking remark.
Linn was also an avid archery collector and was
constantly adding to his collection of archery antiques. Linn
was always on the lookout for another Wing bow, and may have had
one of the best collections of Wings to be found. Linn was a
member of Big Foot Archers, the Wisconsin Traditional Archers,
and the Hawaiian North Shore Long Board Long Bowmen.
While in the woods, Linn Nelson passed away from a heart
attack on November 14, 2015 shortly after setting up his tree
stand while preparing to hunt some public land in Adams County,
Wisconsin. People tried to console each other by saying, “He
died doing what he loved.” This is an absolute fact that I can
attest to. Linn had been seeing a large buck in the area that he
set up his stand. His friends in the area say he was really
excited to be hunting and he thought he had the big one figured
out. Linn
will be deeply missed by many, remembered for his friendship,
humor, quick wit, completive nature, willingness to help others,
and his love of the sport of archery.
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Gene
Seguin
Ellsworth, WI
born July 11, 1930
died December 19, 2016
86 years of age
Lifetime WTA member, Gene Seguin was known for his generosity.
Gene served on the WTA Board from the Spring of 1994 through the
Spring of 2000. As a Board member, Gene came up with the idea to
waive shooting fees for youth at the WTA sponsored shoots. That
idea was picked up by other clubs and still carries on today at
many shoots.
Gene ran the youth raffles at the WTA banquets for many years.
Gene was a master leather worker. He produced souvenir tags to
commemorate the many Traditional Archery Shoots he attended. He
also made quivers and arm guards which were freely given to
young archers in need of equipment. Gene collected Root Bows,
rarely displaying them. Gene helped out at many of the events
from shoots to banquets. Gene would sleep in the back of his
little pick-up truck at shoots. Once engaged in conversation, he
would continue on until the subject was exhausted. He was
knowledgeable about the history of Wisconsin. A small town in
Northeastern Wisconsin bears his family name of Seguin. A
private person, Gene preferred his picture not be taken, no
photo available.
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Robert
F. (Bob) Gagnon
Whitefish Bay, WI
born January 15, 1954
died March 8, 2017
63 years of age
Bob was the official W.T.A. historian for several years. His
photography skills were well known as top quality. Bob attended
the W.T.A. Fall Hunt often. His Saturday night stories around
the campfire were hilarious. We all came away with sore jaws
from laughing! Bob shot one of the biggest black bears ever
taken in Canada with his traditional bow. When Bob was around
camp, you could count on bear sticks for treats and a tasty cake
or his famous “Perkins pies” for dessert. Bob was a tool and die
professional from the Milwaukee area. Bob’s last name, Gagnon,
is one of the first French names in the State of Wisconsin. A
brickyard in Green Bay still bears the name Gagnon. He was also
a true friend to many in the archery world.
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Howard
Edwards
Oxford,
WI
born July
5, 1942
died
September 22, 2016
74 years
of age
Howard was the man with a plan. Form a traditional archery club
for those who choose to only shoot self bows, recurves or long
bows. Howard did not care to brag, yet simply said, “I was one
of many who started the Wisconsin Traditional Archers.” Howard
Edwards was the first Wisconsin Traditional Archers President.
Howard accomplished a feat most only dream about. He harvested a
10-point Whitetail buck from the ground using a self bow of his
own making. Howard also made his own glass backed bows called,
Challenger Bows. He hosted the self bow annual gathering
welcoming young and old alike to use his shop and tools to
create a self bow of their own. If you needed help, Howard would
help you to get started of finish your own self bow.
Howard was a fixture at many archery events past before his
health limited his ability to attend and shoot his bow. In many
Wisconsin Traditional Archers minds’, he was our founder. He
will be missed, but not forgotten.
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Larry
Aamodt (aka Screaming Chicken)
Spring
Valley, WI
Born
February 3, 1943
Died
January 11, 2016
72 years
of age
Larry
farmed, operated Aamodt’s
Archery, and worked as custodian at Spring Valley Schools
retiring several years ago. Larry
passed away from a heart attack while in his archery shop. Those
who knew Larry enjoyed his sense of humor and numerous
“projects”
and
“experiments.” He
was a talented artist and enjoyed painting and flint knapping. He
also had a passion for Native American culture. He
was also musically talented and played with the Short Brothers
for a number years. Larry was affectionately known to his
friends as Screaming Chicken.
Larry was known for his generosity and for promoting traditional
archery to children, for his love of story-telling and his
smile.
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Earnest
(Ernie) L. Appel Born:
November 9, 1926 Passed away January 16, 2015.
Ernie Appel of
Brookfield,
Wisconsin age 88 years.Ernie was known as one of
the finest crafters of reproduction Native American archery
equipment. His attention
to every detail was exceptional.
Many have tried to duplicate the leather work, bead
work, porcupine quill work, and bows and arrows of the North
American Indian falling short of the superb artistic excellence
that Ernie Appel achieved. Often
using natural materials instead of taking short cuts with moder
n man made materials, was Ernie’s passion.
Not only were the things
Ernie created beautiful but very functional.
You could harvest any of
the birds or animals archers today would pursue with the bows
and arrows Ernie recreated. Always
would Ernie greet you with his big warm smile and pleasant
demeanor. Ernie attended many archery shoots around the state.
He could often be seen
with his life long chums John McDonald, the late Lamont Granger,
the late Kenny Kopesel, and the late Bob Makosky, just to name a
few of Ernie’s friends. |
David
(Dave) A. Lyon Born: July 18, 1941 - Passed
away August 16, 2013
Dave was born in Waupun, Wisconsin. He attended Waupun schools.
From 1960-1964 he served his country in the U.S. Airforce.
Dave worked for Wisconsin Department of Corrections as a
correctional officer in many of the local correctional
facilities and Central State Hospital.
Dave was a member NRA, Wisconsin Muzzleloaders Association,
Wisconsin Traditional Archers, Rock River Archeology, Juneau Rod
and Gun Club, American Legion Post 210, and the World Atlatl
Association. Dave had many articles published in “Backwoodsman
Magazine” and other magazines.
He always liked attending traditional archery shoots. He enjoyed
the meetings and banquets of Wisconsin Traditional Archers. Dave
always said he would never shoot a bow with training wheels.
Dave enjoyed creating things and even made his own handles for
the knives he put together. He also made leather and beaded
knife sheaths for his favorite ones.
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Paul
Edward Gorton
Born:
June 21, 1945
Died:
December 30, 2012
Age: 67
Paul
Edward Gorton, 67, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully
surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 30, 2012, at St.
Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids.
He
married Marie Lentz on January 15, 1966, in Newport, Rhode
Island. Paul was recently retired and was a former owner of
Trace Machine and Tools in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. He served
in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Paul loved
spending time with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed archery,
building bows, hunting, the Green Bay Packers, going on walks
and being in the woods.
Paul
attended the annual WTA Fall Hunt for several years. He invented
a small game head in his machine shop business. The solid steel
head had a built in washer for a stopper, Paul shared his
creation with several members of the Wisconsin Traditional
Archers.
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Kenneth
A. (Kenny) Koepsel
Muskego, Wisconsin
Born November 24th 1928
Died November 25th 2012
84 years of age
Ken and his
wife Bev had three daughters, Vicky, Kim and Michele. Ken was a
Korean War veteran, mason, cabinet maker, and life long
bartender at Ray & Dots Tap in Greendale, Wi.
Kenny was a man of honor and integrity. His word and a handshake
was what he lived by. He was a true classic in the archery
world. Often seen at many archery events around the country Ken
would have a very impressive display of archery equipment
spread out for sale on
several tables. If you eaves dropped in on the conversation
between Kenny and a potential customer you might have heard,
(“you’re killing me here, I’m not going to make a dime, I’ll be
lucky if I have gas money to get home.”) Then a few moments
later you might have seen Kenny Koepsel give a bow free of
charge to some boy or girl who didn’t have money enough to
purchase one for themselves. He truly had a soft side and a big
heart. His impressive knowledge of archery equipment as well as
the ability to teach proper archery skills to anyone in need of
help will be missed. He loved the outdoors and hunting.
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Alan
(Al) G. Andersen
Born April 5th 1948
Died February 1st 1998
49 years of age
Friendship, Wisconsin
Al served his
country during the Vietnam War as member of the United States
Marine Corps. He was married to Nora Hallick and lived in Adams
Friendship, Wisconsin at the time of his passing. Alan was Vice
President of INX International Ink Co.
Al was a Rock and
Roll singer and guitarist playing in his own local band.
Camouflage toilet paper for sale was a patent that Al held and
laughed about. He was also a master self bowyer, producing many
excellent looking and shooting bows. Al sold his beautiful bows
for a very reasonable fee so even the poorest man or woman could
afford one. A impressive shop full of hundreds of arrows and
many collectable bows from around the country and the world were
some of Al’s archery holdings.His shop contained many machines
used in the manufacturing of his self bows. He was a crack shot
with the bow and arrow. Al was observed many times laughing and
smiling while hitting the mark of whatever target he chose at
distances that most archers would not attempt. Daily target
practice for form was routine for Al. Several times Al put on a
traditional three D shoot on his property in Adams Friendship,
Wisconsin. He attended the WTA Annual Fall Hunt where he enjoyed
camping and making friends.
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Lamont A. Granger
Born Dec. 5,
1947
Died September
2011
Resided in Rochester, MN
Lamont was the proprietor of The Footed
Shaft, a traditional archery shop until January 2011, where he
continued his lifelong passion of traditional bow hunting.
Lamont was well known for his knowledge, passion, and dedication
to traditional archery.
A memorial service was be held for Lamont
A. Granger of Rochester on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, at 4 p.m. at
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes' Chapel in Rochester. A
visitation was held from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the funeral
home.
Survivors include his beloved wife,
Denise (Young) Granger, of 43 years; his mother, Phyllis Granger
of Viroqua, Wis.; brother, Wilbert Granger of Necedah, Wis.; his
two daughters, Danika (Andy) Bridwell of Illinois and Danielle
(William) Fenton of California; and son, Dane Granger of
Rochester. He is also survived by his two grandchildren,
Alexandra and Anderson Bridwell.
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Robert
(Bob) MaKosky
Born March 25, 1930
Died October 15, 2008
(age 78)
Resided in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, formerly
of Escanaba, MI
Bob was a longbow shooter, prefering to
shoot a bow made by his brother-in-law, John McDonald of Big
River bows. Bob made his own cedar arrows. He was known for his
fine arrow craftsmanship.
Bob attended most of the WTA shoots as
well as few out of state. He shot on the Traditional League at
Antlers Archers of Kellner, WI. Bob enjoyed a cup of coffee in
the company of others at the clubhouse on traditional night. He
was also active in setting up and removing the 3-D targets
for the club’s Annual Summer Traditional Shoot.
Bob collected Marble knives made in his
hometown of Escanaba, MI.
He enjoyed camping with his
brother-in-law, John McDonald, the late Lamont Granger and Ernie
Appel and a few other friends on their annual Central Wisconin
Fall Hunt.
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Clemance
B. Finstad Jr. of Red Wing passed away at 8:35 a.m. Thursday,
July 28, 2011.
Clem
was born in Ellsworth on Oct. 20, 1933, to Clemance B. and
Bernardine S. (Schneider) Finstad. He married Frances E. Gordon
on Nov. 20, 1959. Clem served in the Army and then the Air Force
Reserve for a total of 8 years. He worked as an electrician
until he retired in 1997.
Clem
enjoyed hunting, fishing, and the shooting sports. He was a life
member of the NRA and built traditional hunting arrows and
hunting knives as a hobby.
Clem is survived by his wife, Fran
ces
E. Finstad, Red Wing; a daughter, Kathryn A. (Ron) Strusz; two
sons, Clemance B. Finstad III (Bud), Goodhue, and Michael J.
Finstad, Zumbrota; nine grandchildren and 11
great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary R. (Arthur) Drury, West
Virginia.
A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, at the
Zumbrota Rifle Range, 45440 200th Ave., Zumbrota, MN 55992,
where Clem was a member
Clem died battling
small cell cancer. He has donated himself to the Anatomy Bequest
program at the University of Minnesota. Donations in his name
can be sent to 3-005 Nils Hasselmo Hall, 312 Church St. SE,
Minneapolis, MN 55455.
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Dr. Fredrick W. Kasch
Born April 16, 1913
Died April
8, 2008 (age 94)
Resided at San Diego, CA and Lake Geneva,
WI
Fred manufactured his own archery
equipment. He helped anyone who had an interest in traditional
archery to also manufacture their own bows, arrows, strings,
etc.
Fred was not a stand hunter, rather
prefering to roam the woods often practicing his skill with a
bow on stumps as he wandered.
Fred exercised continually throughout his
life, he was in excellent shape. He could do eleven pull-ups at
the age of 89. 20 push-ups was just a warm up for Fred before
hitting the field to target shoot or hunt.
Fred attended the WTA annual Fall Hunt on
several occasions often teaching archery crafting in camp. Fred
was famous for his bow strings and bow string making classes.
He taught bow making at the University of
Wisconsin-Stevens Point on one occasion.
Fred was also a featured speaker at one
of our WTA banquets.
Fred was knows for his quick wit,
followed by a wink of his eye.
A memorial was
held for Fred at the WTA Fall Hunt following his death. A
handcrafted all natural arrow was made by George Henrich, Sr.,
signed by all in attendance, and shot into the Great Northern
Highlands State Forest out of a selfbow crafted by Phil Czjaka
as his fellow WTA members looked on.
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John F. Fletty
1938-2002 Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Died as the result of a boating accident.
No more information or picture available
at this time.
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