Trad Gang

Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Wade Phillips on June 01, 2009, 11:37:00 AM

Title: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Wade Phillips on June 01, 2009, 11:37:00 AM: Tom Jenkins called this morning with the sad news that Al Reader passed away. I was fortunate to have known Al for over 25 years. He was undoubtedly the most enthusiastic Bear Collector on the planet. Words can't describe what a great person that Al was and what all of his contributions have meant to the world of collecting old archery tackle.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: NumPls on June 01, 2009, 11:48:00 AM: Very sad news indeed, Wade. I was fortunate to get a glimpse of part of Al's remarkable and most impressive Bear collection at last year's Compton Rendezvous.

Ray
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: jcar315 on June 01, 2009, 11:56:00 AM: While I never had a chance to meet Mr. Reader but my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I can't count the number of times I have read his articles that I downloaded about Bear bows. His info was the first and only I had when I started.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: d. ward on June 01, 2009, 12:01:00 PM: we will him for sure one of the finest.bowdoc
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Cody Roiter on June 01, 2009, 12:47:00 PM: Thanks Wade for letting us know... I spent some time with Al last year at Compton.... Man I know I will sure miss him.. He was a great guy.....

Cody
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: bearbowman on June 01, 2009, 01:19:00 PM: I too have had the great pleasure of knowing and dealing with Al many times over the last 15 years. Al shared a great deal of knowledge with me
and I am thankful for that. My prayers go out to his family and his vast circle of friends as they learn to accept his journey to be with our father.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: 4406v on June 01, 2009, 01:34:00 PM: I am saddened to of the passing of Al Reader.He was a very special person always willing to share his knowlegde and passion collecting Bear bows.I've had many conversations with Al over the last 12 years and will miss him alot.My condolences to his wife and family.Ron Reagle
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: reddogge on June 01, 2009, 02:51:00 PM: I'm very sorry to hear about Al. My condolences to his family and friends.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: TimZeigler on June 01, 2009, 03:03:00 PM: My deepest condolensces to the Reader family.

I never got meet Al, but his vast knowledge has taught me alot about the bows, and the sport I love. Thanks Al.

Tim
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: TRAP on June 01, 2009, 04:09:00 PM: To those of you that knew him personally and to Al's family I offer my deepest condolences.

There's only a few "sure things" we are promised when we arrive here on earth and one is that we will pass.

From everything I've read, Al Reader made the most of his time spent here with us. His passion, committment and thirst for knowledge benefitted all of us that are caught up in Trad History and collecting. His willingness to share these things was his gift to all of us.

Thank You Al for taking the time, even for those of us that never had the pleasure of meeting you.

Trap
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Grant Young on June 01, 2009, 04:13:00 PM: We all lost much when Al passed away. My sympathies to his family and many friends. Tough shoes to fill. Grant
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: yellow bow on June 01, 2009, 04:23:00 PM: What a tragedy, I am shocked. I still can't believe it. Condolences to his wife Nina and family. He will be sorely missed.
Joe
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Wade Phillips on June 01, 2009, 05:30:00 PM: Al is second from the left standing in this 1986 photograph of 17 of us Collectors / Bow Hunters.

Probably not many Trad Gangers can put a name with every face of these 30 and 40 year old bowmen. Have many fond memories of this week long hunt.

Note Al is the only guy who did not put his bow down for the photograph... He probably wanted to make sure it did not get hijacked. There were several pranksters in the group.

(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo301/WadePhillips/AL-1986.jpg)
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: cacciatore on June 01, 2009, 06:02:00 PM: I was just starting to know him.I sended me,a week ago,a mail sayng he was going to the hospital and altrough he was in a hurry he took the time to replay.Prayers for a great person,my condolences to the family.Felix
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Bjorn on June 01, 2009, 06:05:00 PM: Al was always quick to respond to emails and questions-he must have had all kinds of people after a slice of his time or expertise-but he never let that get in the way. Greay guy! What a shock.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: johnnyrazorhead on June 01, 2009, 06:59:00 PM: Still stunned to hear of Al's passing.I've known Al for as long as I've been collecting Bear stuff.He was always so nice to talk to and shared so much of his knowledge.I finally got to meet Al in person last summer at the Compton shoot and see some of his collection.Here are a couple of pics I had from that shoot that I scanned.The trad community has lost one of it's gems.First pic is Al with my son Cody.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/detroitdeerslyer/scan0003.jpg)
Al and myself.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/detroitdeerslyer/scan0002.jpg)
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: mwmwmb on June 01, 2009, 07:22:00 PM: wow, sad day. I never knew him but had read some of his articles and seen some videos of him. I definately admired his thirst for knowlege and willingness to share.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Tom Phillips on June 01, 2009, 07:47:00 PM: Hats off to an extraordinary man.Thank You very much Al for sharing with me and many many others your knowledge & enthusiasum for Bear Archery & collecting in general.I will never forget being invited to your house on the couple occasions and being allowed to fondle all the cool bows especially the LEFTIES which I happen to be as well as Al.Sharing the booth 2 years ago at Denton is etched in my mind as well as a few weeks ago sitting side by side with you eating dinner with the other New Jersey bowhunters.Your memory will live on.Seems like just yesterday we met in Saugerties,NY for the game dinner/archery shoot ,but it was close to 20 years ago.

Rest in peace
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Rick Enos on June 01, 2009, 07:58:00 PM: Prayers go out to Al & his family.He was a fantastic person.He will truly be missed.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Mike Shaw on June 01, 2009, 08:44:00 PM: Al has helped Sue & I many times over the years in our collecting venture. We will miss him dearly. Our condolences to his family.

Mike & Sue Shaw
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Adirondack Bowman on June 01, 2009, 09:12:00 PM: I miss Al already. He was a friend who I have many good memories of. We went to many shoots together over the years and always had a great time.Al was always a great shooter.One time Al surprised me with a gift from his collection. It was a bow that he knew I would love to have, a clean 1959 Kodiak 60"65#. I must have thanked him for that gift a hundred times over the years.Might as well make it 101 times, thank you Al.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Cody Roiter on June 01, 2009, 09:49:00 PM: Last year when I was at a archery shoot Al and myself where talking about something about bear arrows..Then Al said wait here I will be rigth back.. He came back with two old Bear wood arrows and said Here you go cody he said I know there not much and I said Al thses are great as there where the first Bear woods arrows I ever had... I still have them hanging in my room....

Thanks Al for every thing man..
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Horney Toad on June 01, 2009, 10:47:00 PM: It is a sad day for traditional archery. All of us small time collectors lost a big brother.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: johnnyrazorhead on June 01, 2009, 10:55:00 PM: Just came across this old photo.These two old friends are probably getting re-aquainted right now.Fred's probably asking Al some questions about Bear Archery history.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e24/detroitdeerslyer/scan.jpg)
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Cody Roiter on June 02, 2009, 12:32:00 AM: Great Pic John thanks for posting it...
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Moooseran on June 02, 2009, 12:41:00 AM
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: 4runr on June 02, 2009, 08:35:00 AM: My condolences to all Al's friends and especially his family.

I visited his display at Comptons last year and never knew the history I was looking at. I'm fairly new to collecting and a bit shy when it comes to talking to someone who is out of my "league". I'm a bit boneheaded also, as I know now that there are no "leagues" in Traditional Archery, just good people. I wish with all my heart I would have spoken with Al a few minutes.

I will make more of an effort to speak with folks, as I may miss making a new friend.

Godspeed Al.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Abear on June 02, 2009, 09:19:00 AM: Thank You AL....For Everything
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: seboomook on June 02, 2009, 09:29:00 AM: Kenny just summed up my feelings exactly.
Didnt know the man, but I do now from reading these pages.
Brad
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: JavelinaHink on June 02, 2009, 12:33:00 PM: Al sure was a great guy; I contacted him and John Lee last year before Compton and asked if two old Broadhead collectors could set up with the two of them. They both where great about making room for us with our displays and Al told me later that he was happy that we came because it rounded out the room with the bows, arrows, quivers etc. I think that’s the kind of guy he was in the short time I had talked with him, considerate of other people after all we are all one in collecting. I feel fortunate to have spend the three days talking with Al about the things we feel so deeply about, Traditions.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Moooseran on June 02, 2009, 03:01:00 PM: I don't know how to transfer photo from bucket so I posted the photos on Stickbow of Al from last years Compton Rendezvous. moose
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Wade Phillips on June 02, 2009, 03:23:00 PM: Moose - Below, I just linked to your photographs of Al on photobucket, may save time for some trying to find them on Stickbow... You do know how to take a good photograph...

Al, looking serious
(http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq126/mooseran/IMG_0159a.jpg)

Norman, Al and Barb...
(http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq126/mooseran/IMG_0200a.jpg)

Fred and Al
(http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq126/mooseran/IMG_0192a.jpg)

(http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq126/mooseran/IMG_0188a.jpg)
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Lamont Granger on June 02, 2009, 03:52:00 PM: wow, small world. I know all of the people in the above 4 photos. Lamont
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Moooseran on June 02, 2009, 04:03:00 PM: Thanks Wade. Maybe I'll figure out how to post from Bucket before I get to old........
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Wade Phillips on June 02, 2009, 04:20:00 PM: Moose - I see from your post that you used the HTML Code line for the photographs. The HTML looks like this, and does not work...

In Photobucket, you want to use the line below HTML Code... which is the IMG Code and looks like this.

[IMG]http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq126/mooseran/IMG_0200a.jpg[/IMG ]

I just inserted an additional space before the last closed bracket, so the code appears as text above, rather then your actual photograph.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: GWert on June 02, 2009, 09:27:00 PM: I’m not a regular poster on any Internet site, I just check in from time to time to see what’s going on, but I just have to respond to this one. I considered Al a friend although I did not know him as well as many on here. I first met Al when I called him with a question about an old Kodiak. He talked to me, a total stranger, for over 2 hrs. That was about 13 yrs ago.
I’m going to tell a quick story about Al the jokester.
My brother and I were shooting on course #3 (Elm Hollow) at Denton, both of us shooting a 59 Kodiak and Al came walking up the road. He stopped and said Gary some friends of mine are camped up the hollow and would I be willing to play a joke on them with him. He explained what he wanted to do and I said sure will. He went on up the hollow and we kept shooting. When we got up to the camp Al yelled up “Gary are you ready to sell that maple window 59 yet ?”. That was the start of the prank. We walked down and I said I really did not want to sell it. Al said he would give me $75 for it. The guys in camp, all bear collectors, were starting to get a little restless thinking here he goes again getting a bargain. I said but Al the lower tip overlay has been replaced, $75 was the reply. I said OK, handed him the bow and he gave me the money. You could just see the jaws of the guys in camp drop. Then Al lost it and started laughing so hard everyone knew they had been had.
Al really enjoyed that little prank and mentioned it just about every time he asked if I still have the 59. I would just say yes I do and it is not for sale.
I guess some of those camp members visit these sites and will remember this prank.
Thanks for all the memories Al .
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: alaskabowhunter on June 04, 2009, 02:16:00 AM: Rest in peace Top Kodiak. <-------<<<
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: marlon on June 06, 2009, 01:09:00 AM: Very sad news. Marlon
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: ber643 on June 06, 2009, 06:01:00 AM: Like everyone (just about) I've heard words often about the "great Bear collector" from NJ, many times and places - always "good" words. My respects and condolences to family and friends.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Falk on June 06, 2009, 08:25:00 AM: I am really sorry the read this! Have dealt with Al only very little, but felt honored I was allowed to do it at all, after having learned so much of off his writings before ...
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: d. ward on June 06, 2009, 10:38:00 AM: was digging through a book of stuff this morning and found these items.Maybe no big deal to some but sure ment alot to me.Al was cool.bd (http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii175/bowdocsarchery/bigal001.jpg)
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: d. ward on June 06, 2009, 10:38:00 AM: ..bd (http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii175/bowdocsarchery/al001.jpg)
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: Cody Roiter on June 06, 2009, 10:59:00 AM: Great stuff doc....
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: KYArcher on June 06, 2009, 12:13:00 PM: Great Pix Doc. Sounds like he was a fine fella. Prayers to his family.

Scott
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: cacciatore on June 07, 2009, 04:00:00 PM: Nice pics,thanks
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: bowhunterfrompast on June 07, 2009, 06:54:00 PM: I never had the honor of meeting Al. With the pics and stories posted..I feel like I have just met him..thanks.

Condolences and prayers for his family and friends.
Title: Re: Al Reader Has Left Us
Post by: TRAP on June 07, 2009, 07:46:00 PM: Well said Richard.

Trap