Bruce Bannister has passed on

[ammohead]

When we helped Bruce move from Winnemucca to Reno he gave me his copy of "U.S. Rifle M14 from John Garand to the M21" by R. Blake Stevens. He was a generous man and I will miss him.

From the first time we met whenever he told his stories of life in the NW Territories and other adventures I came away thinking "this must be what a conversation with Hemingway or TR must have been like". I will forever be left with the vision of Bruce putting a lodgepole through the front windows of an International Harvester Travelall so that he could "come-along" a woods bison into the back for the trip home! Or of him standing polar bear guard at night in camp with a M14 and a full 20 round magazine. How many men actually get to own a 404 Jeffery much less hunt with one. No Walter Mitty life for him.

I am certain that he arrived at the pearly gates sliding in sideways, huge grin on his face showing through his white beard exclaiming "Thank you Jesus, what a ride!"

Till we meet again Estimado Bruce.

[white eagle]

I am so sorry
he had a vast knowledge of casting and hunting
I enjoyed reading what he said

[Red River Rick]

Sadly, we are diminished again. Bruce was an interesting person, with lots of knowledge that he shared here, openly.

He will be missed. R.I.P.

[snuffy]

Sometimes I just don't have the words that I need.

R.I.P. Bruce

Same here!

I'm reminded of something Aaron Rodgers , (Packers star quarterback), said. He was talking to a terminally ill child about when he gets to heaven. He said "when you get there, save a spot for me". That's what I wish I could say to Bruce. R.I.P. Bruce.

[walltube]

Rest well, Good Gentleman.

Condolences to Mr. Bannister's family.

Y.T.,
Wt.

[MT Gianni]

When we helped Bruce move from Winnemucca to Reno he gave me his copy of "U.S. Rifle M14 from John Garand to the M21" by R. Blake Stevens. He was a generous man and I will miss him.

From the first time we met whenever he told his stories of life in the NW Territories and other adventures I came away thinking "this must be what a conversation with Hemingway or TR must have been like". I will forever be left with the vision of Bruce putting a lodgepole through the front windows of an International Harvester Travelall so that he could "come-along" a woods bison into the back for the trip home! Or of him standing polar bear guard at night in camp with a M14 and a full 20 round magazine. How many men actually get to own a 404 Jeffery much less hunt with one. No Walter Mitty life for him.

I am certain that he arrived at the pearly gates sliding in sideways, huge grin on his face showing through his white beard exclaiming "Thank you Jesus, what a ride!"

Till we meet again Estimado Bruce.

To this I add the memory of him telling me he had a bear die at his feet full of 303 British bullets. He said he had four pieces of brass in the air at once and happened to catch his attention as the bear went from charging to sliding. We will think of you often old friend.

[Just Duke]

I believe he is also the innovator and document-or for the M-14 and Cast Bullets. A milestone that's for sure.

[RugerFan]

So sad. Bruce was a wealth of information and I immensely enjoyed reading his posts. He will be deeply missed.

[armexman]

May God have him by his side; teaching God how to "speed cast"
RIP Bruce

[Firebricker]

I haven't logged on in awhile and was looking through Bruces thread on cast in M1A and noticed the "On Heaven's Range" then found this thread. It's a major loss like many I not only enjoyed his posts but learned a lot from them. His family has my sincere condolences and I hope they know how well respected he was by so many that never even had the pleasure to meet in person. RIP Bruce. FB

[madman]

Rest in peace good and wonder Friend. Bless you all.

[quasi]

I always looked for his posts, they were always interesting. I know life was stomping on him from all directions these last few years, I never met him but I sure wish I did. R.I.P.

I will miss his posts everytime I come here. WE ARE DIMINISHED

[Sagebrush7]

Sorry,to here about Bruce. I have a three ring binder with his reply s to my questions that go back to Shooters and the old Marlin Forums. I will cherish them!

[35remington]

Bruce wrote interestingly and well on many topics and would give you a polite no BS response via whatever route you took when conversing with him.

Near as I can recall he was right about pretty much everything. Gonna miss him.

[SharpsShooter]

I am greatly saddened to hear of Bruce's passing. We exchanged messages several times and always had good information. Our last exchange was about how to mount a holster on a wheelchair. I had not been on very much lately.…

Rest in peace my friend: in heaven we won't need those chairs.

SS

[John Allen]

Very sad, God bless

[madman]

We will all be together some day in that great beyond. Blessing to you all.

[94Doug]

It's always sad to read about the passing of some of the great giving people that have been part of this place, along with countless other activities and sites I'm sure. Great people. Bruce will be missed.

Doug

[Arctic]

Grapevine just told me that Bruce had passed away, so came checking.

Bruce and I were shooting buddies since the 60's here in the NWT, .....watched him get married and remembered his thrill at having a daughter, ....shoot against him in many matches and wrote an introduction for him when he headed south for mining, ....even suggested Winnemucca or Ely as a destination! Used to invite him to Reno every year for the SCI and Gunmakers shows, and he often came, as would be expected.

Lost touch and by backtracking here, discovered his problems, put him in my prayers.

Now, today, I discover he's gone, along with another overseas friend he'd met!

"Bruce, I've sent word out to old Northern friends, will toast you with a bit of "Old Sam", and we'll meet again in the barrenlands, .......still lots of grizz wandering around!!"

~Arctic~

[9w1911]

He told me great stories about his time in the NWT, I think about them all time, mostly about what it would be like his age working and living up there, seems like my kinda place, I probably would not mine in a mine shaft though, too claustrophobic, Id rather supply the fellas with some distillery like product from the hills.