My friend, my mentor, in so many ways my surrogate father Walt Rauch went on ahead of us last night, peacefully, after suffering a massive stroke some months back.
Walt was instrumental in establishing the practical shooting sports in the United States. Walt co-founded USPSA, IDPA and the National Tactical Invitational, was involved in the creation of GSSF and so very much else, in many way the intellectual center of the sports we love.
Walt's life was the stuff of legend — Army Intelligence, Secret Service, Philadelphia Felony Squad, a genuine hard-boiled private dick on the mean streets of Philadelphia. His 2 books, REAL WORLD SURVIVAL: WHAT HAS WORKED FOR ME and PRACTICALLY SPEAKING: AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE, barely scythed the surface of his immense knowledge of firearms, tactics and shooting.
I will write something more comprehensive later. I need to process this myself.
Go with God, my friend.
Damn...
ReplyDeleteI was privileged to know him a little through USPSA matches. We chatted occasionally at matches or after Section Meetings. It was always a fascinating glimpse at a life well-lived. My condolences for your loss, Michael.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine the stories he and Frank James are swapping now?
Loss is too small a word.
ReplyDeleteYes, I knew Walt back in the 80s and 90s. We shot a lot of the same matches. Sorry to hear of his passing.
ReplyDeleteRIP, Walt!
Via Condios and fair winds and following seas...
ReplyDeleteHe was my mentor and my friend.
ReplyDeleteHe was my mentor and my friend.
ReplyDeleteWe are diminished. Farewell, prickly man.
ReplyDeleteRIP Walt.
ReplyDeleteWalt, Frank James and Ken Hackathorn were my portals into the gunzine game, and I learned much from his wise counsel… I am personally diminished
ReplyDeleteI am Walt's daughter, Dianne. Thank you all for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteBenedict.Dianne@yahoo.com
I am Walt's daughter, Dianne. Thank you all for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteBenedict.Dianne@yahoo.com
RIP Walt. I was the woman in the photo testing the Glock 18 in a Glock article back in the 1990's. It was always interesting conversation being around him.
ReplyDeleteWalt was an icon and will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to hear of the loss of your father Dianne.
Walt and I have had many interesting and memorable conversations. He'll be missed by all of us "trigger pullers". RIP Pal.
ReplyDeleteI've known Walt since 1981. He was my mentor ,friend and a father figure as well. My sense of loss is overwhelming to me as his passing come's 2 months after my wife's. My best tribute to him will be to carry on the "tradition" if you will. Farewell my friend.See you on the other side.
ReplyDeleteBob Thomsen