Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: burchett.donald on April 22, 2019, 06:06:28 pm
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It is with my deepest regret to inform The PA community that Richard Rousseau "HALF EYE" has passed away this past Friday...He was a great friend and mentor to me and many others on here...Richard made my time here very special and I will greatly miss him...I feel like part of me is gone now
Don
I spoke with his wife Donna Jean, Please remember her in prayer...
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Sorry to hear that Don.
Bjrogg
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I will miss him. I got the best ironwood from him! Sad sad day.
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He will be missed. He was a master at his corner of the craft and an encyclopedia of knowledge of native bows.
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My heart is broken what a mentor ,great guy going to miss that man jeffw
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He will be missed.
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Rich was one of the best of the best! A master of the short bow. And probably the most generous person I have ever known. Any of the little fundraisers I did here for one reason or another Rich was usually the first in with a donation. When everyone chipped in and paid my way to the Classic I swore I would pay it forward and offered to see to it Rich would get to go. He flat out refused the gift. In fact, he not only refused but demanded I give him my address so he could send me a bow to say thanks for thinking of him. Then he sent me THREE!
I have used his bows many times at Rendezvous to teach kids about how simple a bendy handle can be. I'd get the kids started on a hickory board that was mostly shaped and then offer them paintbrushes and tempera paints to make it theirs. I deeply regret not getting photos of these kids bow making sessions to show him.
I am gonna dig into my collection and find a few bows, match up some arrows for kids....and find kids to give them to in honor of Rich "Half Eye" Rousseau.
Rich....we are going to miss you, brother. I'd tell you to not use up all the good staves in heaven, but you'll naturally leave those and take the stuff no one wanted - and still crank out great short bendy bows!
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Sad news. Sorry to hear of Rich's passing. He was a very generous person, both with his knowledge but also with his talent. He sent me three bows and an arrow, out of the blue and they are in a prime spot in my collection.
Bon voyage, Rich.
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I didn't know Rich personally, only by his reputation here on PA. A person of his stature will be greatly missed by the community! Our condolences to all who knew him!
Hawkdancer
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Sad news. A master bowyer is gone. Rich was an inspiration in his way of doing things.
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That is sad news to hear. Rest in Peace Sir.
He will be missed...
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So sorry to hear that, great guy who will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers for his friends and family. :(
Pappy
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Rich will be greatly missed! Like everyone here stated he was always extremely generous with gifts and knowledge. I will miss going to visit him and Donna. I usually went up to see him once or twice every summer. It was time well spent and I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet and get to know him.
Tattoo Dave
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Several of my friends got to know Rich well. Each independently agreed he was one of the most generous gentlemen they knew.
Generous with his talent, time, encouragement, and materials.
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I'm so sorry to hear that. I always enjoyed his posts and seeing his unique bows.
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Its always sad to hear that a fellow bowyer has passed. I might not have known him but from what I hear he was a great person. He will be missed and will always be remembered.
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Sad news.
I never met him in person, but we did a bow trade when I got over to the Classic. His is the only bow in my collection that wasn't made by me, I'll always treasure it.
He was a go to guy for advice on those shorties, he'll be sadly missed.
Del
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So sorry to come back around here and read this news. Rich was as genuine a person as I've ever had dealings with, and a great asset to the community. He will be missed.
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So sorry to come back around here and read this news. Rich was as genuine a person as I've ever had dealings with, and a great asset to the community. He will be missed.
"...a great asset to the community." It was the work he posted that inspired me to make a short bendy handle. It was his feedback on my failures that is why I finally figured them out. I have to stop and wonder how many of us are short and bendy lovers because of Rich's work?
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I am most definitely a fan of short bendy handle bows because of Rich! He’s also the reason I joined this site in the first place, as well as one of the many reasons I remained a member of this site for so long! I was searching the internet for info on short bows years ago and came across a bow he had posted and was overjoyed to find a place where people were sharing that kind of info for free, then I learned he lived only 2 hours away. He’s been an inspiration to say the very least!!
Tattoo Dave
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I was on here under the name steve48 for a long time, without going into detail i changed to ohma2 .that being said i remember alot of people that are gone now or just dont post anymore and they are missed half eye will be at the top of that list.his scalloped limbs bows always made me smile just looking at them.for me they were the most native american bows on the site.if there is a happy hunting ground then he is there and very happy.
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He had sent me so many supplies, staves and bows. He was such a wealth of knowledge. He will be missed
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That is very sad news and he will most definitely be missed.
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He was very generous to me with his advice and encouragement when I got stuck on tricky projects, I'll miss his presence on this forum a great deal
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Sad news.Condolences to his family and friends...
Mike
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Very sad to hear this.
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Sad SAD news.
When he started a thread I already knew that i'd liked it and still I was stoked of each and every one bendy bow he showed
I'm gonna try to make one his way (short bendy handle, knee tillering, tied string at bottom knoch ...) to honour his memory
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If anybody PA member needs or want's Rich's address just PM me...
Don
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Why wont it bring up his name when I search him? I was trying to read some of his old posts.
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try a search for half+eye (2 separetad names and you want both)
also be sure to be in the forum you want to search. if you are in flintknapping the search is performed only in flintnapping so better stay at top level if you want all the threads
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Didnt want to read this..Rich and i conversed quite a bit,through the years..He was what this site,was all about and he will be missed greatly..
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This is very sad news, indeed. Spoke quite a bit with Rich. I have a bow of his. One of my prized possessions. Rest in peace, Rich.
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https://www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com/notices/William-Rousseau
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https://www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com/notices/William-Rousseau
Such a short notice for so great a man and his incredible reputation around the world for his work. Please make sure you sign the guestbook and leave a short note for the family.
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Man, I just saw this....So sad to hear.
I feel blessed to have had Rich coach me through my 1st bendy handle bow only a few months ago. He had a gift for teaching which was thorough and easy for almost anyone to understand. He was so generous with his time and knowledge.
May his spirit live on..RIP Rich
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Just found this sad post. I'm sorry to hear that. Rich was a great teacher for me. He was a master of bendy bows.
I miss him.
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Sad news for sure. I corresponded to him on pa and live quite close to him but never had the pleasure to meet him in person.
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Here's a vid of Rich "Half Eye" slinging one from his bendy...Watch the perfect arrow flight...
Don
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mty7mwaZIFc
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Rich was a very generous guy and was really helpful to me when I was first getting started building bows. He will be missed.
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sorry to read this news, although relatively new on here I have read through Rich's posts several times and they have been a great source of inspiration and a fantastic reference for spot on short bendy tillers. His reputation for generosity and his vast knowledge preceded him. he sounded like one of the gooduns. Rest in peace Rich.