waksupi
07-26-2006, 12:34 AM
This is a message that was forwarded to me today. I'm sure that more than a few of you old grey beards knew him. I knew John, rendezvous'ed with him over the years, and used to occassionally write for the magazine. I first met him in the mid '70's, at Twyman's Rendezvous, at Brunswick, Missouri.
I stopped in at the magazine office whenever I passed through Big Timber. He always talked about how busy he was in his editorials, but I never recall walking into his office,when he wasn't kicked back in his chair, with his feet up on the desk. Some of the old timers will remember the big hooraw some twenty years back ,when he started including BPCR in the magazine, and proclaimed he WAS the NAPR. All that is in the past, and some held hard feelings for many years about it. The way I see it, he did give the muzzleloading fraternity an exceptional resource in his magazine, and was instrumental in helping establish the Western National Mountain Man Rendezvous, that still exists, under the names of the Rocky Mountain Nationals, the High Plains Nationals, and several other offshoots.
Dear Friends;
I have just learned of the passing of John Baird on July 14, 2006. It was
his birthday. John was 78 years and 18 hours old. John published and
edited the BUCKSKIN REPORT magazine in the 1970s and 80s. His May 1978
article on my hunting pouches kick started my three decades of leather
working.
John was afflicted with Lewybodies, a form of dementia similar to
Alzheimers. Being the sort of man he was, as soon as the diagnoses was made
John planned out exactly how his business and personal life was to be
managed right up until the end. John left for his final rendezvous with no
strings untied.
Condolences may be sent to Mrs. John D.(Betty) Baird at 1902 Range Road,
Wadestown, West Virginia 26590. Telephone (304) 662-6220. Betty lives alone
there but her daughter lives nearby. I'll bet Betty would appreciate a
call. I don't have an email address.
There is a possibility that a memorial service will be held at the Eastern
Rendezvous in September.
John helped leave me with wonderful memories of that era of muzzleloading.
I am doing my best to pass on to others the inspiration and enthusiasm of
old Dinglehoofer.
Respectfully,
Chris
I stopped in at the magazine office whenever I passed through Big Timber. He always talked about how busy he was in his editorials, but I never recall walking into his office,when he wasn't kicked back in his chair, with his feet up on the desk. Some of the old timers will remember the big hooraw some twenty years back ,when he started including BPCR in the magazine, and proclaimed he WAS the NAPR. All that is in the past, and some held hard feelings for many years about it. The way I see it, he did give the muzzleloading fraternity an exceptional resource in his magazine, and was instrumental in helping establish the Western National Mountain Man Rendezvous, that still exists, under the names of the Rocky Mountain Nationals, the High Plains Nationals, and several other offshoots.
Dear Friends;
I have just learned of the passing of John Baird on July 14, 2006. It was
his birthday. John was 78 years and 18 hours old. John published and
edited the BUCKSKIN REPORT magazine in the 1970s and 80s. His May 1978
article on my hunting pouches kick started my three decades of leather
working.
John was afflicted with Lewybodies, a form of dementia similar to
Alzheimers. Being the sort of man he was, as soon as the diagnoses was made
John planned out exactly how his business and personal life was to be
managed right up until the end. John left for his final rendezvous with no
strings untied.
Condolences may be sent to Mrs. John D.(Betty) Baird at 1902 Range Road,
Wadestown, West Virginia 26590. Telephone (304) 662-6220. Betty lives alone
there but her daughter lives nearby. I'll bet Betty would appreciate a
call. I don't have an email address.
There is a possibility that a memorial service will be held at the Eastern
Rendezvous in September.
John helped leave me with wonderful memories of that era of muzzleloading.
I am doing my best to pass on to others the inspiration and enthusiasm of
old Dinglehoofer.
Respectfully,
Chris