Bob Updike used to shoot with the Illini Muzzleloaders club. I always tried to set up next to Bob at the shoots because we had similar rifles, similar interests, and got along real well.
The first time I ever shot with the club I was sharing a table with Bob. Our targets were right beside one another too and I embarrassed myself by shooting a round into his target by mistake. Bob just laughed it off but I sure felt like an idiot. At the next shoot Bob came over and set up next to me again anyway.
When we met Bob was fighting stomach cancer. A year and a half later he told me that he had just been to the doctors and they had pronounced him all clear. He had the cancer beat.
Two weeks later Bob had a heart attack and died. It was hard news to hear. I only knew Bob for a short time but I sure do miss him still even 5 years later.
This past spring the guy who runs the clubs shoots mentioned in the newsletter that Bob's wife had decided to sell his rifle. I would have dearly loved to have it but at the time I was too poor to buy it. I figgered it would sell quickly and I didn't have a chance.
Then again in October the newsletter said Bob's rifle was still for sale. Unfortunately I was still broke.
Well, I just got a bonus check from work and got the idea to call Tom, our club president, and ask him if he knew if the rifle was still available. He checked with Bob's wife and IT WAS! And she had lowered her asking price to what I could not pass up! I told Tom to tell her I would take it without even having to look at it. I remembered seeing it 5 years ago and it was a nice rifle tho I didn't remember exactly all the details other than it was a .54 flint with a long barrel. I mainly just wanted it because it was Bob's rifle.
This afternoon I picked it up.
This year Bob will once again be sharing a table with me at the club shoots.
The first time I ever shot with the club I was sharing a table with Bob. Our targets were right beside one another too and I embarrassed myself by shooting a round into his target by mistake. Bob just laughed it off but I sure felt like an idiot. At the next shoot Bob came over and set up next to me again anyway.
When we met Bob was fighting stomach cancer. A year and a half later he told me that he had just been to the doctors and they had pronounced him all clear. He had the cancer beat.
Two weeks later Bob had a heart attack and died. It was hard news to hear. I only knew Bob for a short time but I sure do miss him still even 5 years later.
This past spring the guy who runs the clubs shoots mentioned in the newsletter that Bob's wife had decided to sell his rifle. I would have dearly loved to have it but at the time I was too poor to buy it. I figgered it would sell quickly and I didn't have a chance.
Then again in October the newsletter said Bob's rifle was still for sale. Unfortunately I was still broke.
Well, I just got a bonus check from work and got the idea to call Tom, our club president, and ask him if he knew if the rifle was still available. He checked with Bob's wife and IT WAS! And she had lowered her asking price to what I could not pass up! I told Tom to tell her I would take it without even having to look at it. I remembered seeing it 5 years ago and it was a nice rifle tho I didn't remember exactly all the details other than it was a .54 flint with a long barrel. I mainly just wanted it because it was Bob's rifle.
This afternoon I picked it up.
This year Bob will once again be sharing a table with me at the club shoots.
