Fellow Listmembers,
I am sad to report that we lost one of our own on December 17. Everyone here may or may not have noticed the absence of Iron River Ed- Chad Bogard. He was killed doing what he loved.
I first met Chad at the range after moving to the area about 3 years ago. He was just getting into making bullets. To my deepest regret we never got to know each other better. Nevertheless, we crossed paths regularly and spoke every few months. The last time I saw him must have been no more than a few weeks before he died. It was at a gunstore and he was buying a brand new stainless Vaquero in .45 LC. Talk about a proud new papa! He told me about a new job he was probably going to move to Gainsville, FL. That was the last time we spoke. He was always on me about melting down my WW in a large crucible. Sounded like a monster. Anyway- I was never able to break away from family obligations to do it.
After not hearing from him since then, I pm'd him earlier today. Before I got to look at the pm, I called his house and learned of the news from his wife. It seems he was at a cowboy action shoot. He absolutely loved it. It was his passion. His wife wasn't exactly sure what happened. Could have been that he reached for a gun he dropped, or stumbled, or heck- who knows- it doesn't really matter now- but he somehow managed to shoot himself.
I have unfortunately seen a lot of strangers die and just like everyone here, it is different when you know the person. The rug is just yanked out from under you. No separation. No nothing. Gone. Please keep him and his 4 children in your thoughts and prayers.
I am truly diminished.
Beau