Rich Flanders RIP

[Bruce Day]

We have lost a friend , long time Parker collector , shooter , hunter Fairbanks geologist and prospector and all around great man . Many photos to follow and reminisces .

1. Rich and Charlie in the Powder River country east of Broadus Montana . A great Sharptail hunt.

2 . Rich and SoDak pheasant

3. Dinner at the ranch house

[Reggie Bishop]

Very sad news. I never met Rich personally but I always enjoyed his posts about his hunting and flying adventures. Prayers for his loved ones.

[Bill Murphy]

What a guy. I can't wait for the bio.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Oh my, sad news. Always read and enjoyed his posts

[Rick Losey]

I always enjoyed his posts with the fly out hunts and the few private communications we had

he will be missed

RIP

[CraigThompson]

RIP 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Jim DiSpagno]

Thanks Bruce, sad news indeed. Rich was a heck of a guy and I’ll miss his endeavors and posts. RIP Rich

[edgarspencer]

I'm saddened to hear of Rich's passing, like the rest of you. He reached out to me 12 or more years ago, when my son moved to Alaska, and emailed me often to remark on my son's flying adventures. They always planned on meeting up, and that sadly never happened. He lived a full, and very exciting life, the things story books are made of. I'm sure he departed with few regrets.

[Dean Romig]

So sad to hear this. I had just communicated with him about four weeks ago. When I asked him how his health was doing he said he was doing okay but that he knew it wouldn’t end well… I guess he was right. I really enjoyed our distant friendship and always admired his adventures both on the forum and in our frequent emails.

RIP Rich - you will be missed.





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[chris dawe]

Terrible news ,very much enjoyed his posts

[Russell E. Cleary]

Richard was a knowledgeable member on here (in his case a Life Member) who, among other contributions, freely gave his advice when sought, whether on the open Forum or via Private Message.

It had occurred to me recently that he seemed to have been uncharacteristically absent from the Forum lately, which was a little concerning. So, I checked and did see that his posts had been tailing off, but there had been a couple earlier in the month. My concerns were somewhat allayed.

This is sad news.

I will pray that he rests in peace.

[ruthidzik]

Hey everyone,
This is Ruth, Richard's niece from his sister Michelle. It is so nice to read all these kind comments about my uncle. We are truly going to miss him, and he was a hell of a man.
He actually sent all of his parkers to an auction house in California about a week before he passed. The auctions end Sunday just if anyone was ever particularly interested in models he had here are the links

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1017427299
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1017424163
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1017297178
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1017303844
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1017421655
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1017897443
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1017914153
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1017900573
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1017904759

The auction house took hundreds of fabulous photos too if anyone just wants to take a look. He sure had a beautiful collection ❤️

[John Dunkle]

Ruth and all,

We are so sorry for you and your family's loss. Your Uncle never forgot to contact me just to say "Hi" and share his appreciation for this community, as he's been a part of this same "on-line" community for about 15 years... He will be missed...

Too.. While we don't allow "Firearms For Sale" in this area of the site - I'm leaving your links above here and in this thread. I can only hope a few Parkers land into the hands of those here who shared his same passion - and more - I think I'll simply give you a temporary Honorary PGCA Title as Member in this same community. While you won't get any Member benefits such as the Quarterly Magazine, Membership Card - it's just "the right thing to do"....

Thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,

John D.

[ruthidzik]

Thank you so much, he will be missed by so many. My apologies for the gun broker links, I didn't even think about it. To be honest though I'd rather have his guns land in the hands of fellow community members here too so I appreciate you leaving the links up. Thank you so much for the membership to, it's appreciated.
Ruth

[Stan Hoover]

Ruth,

Thanks for sharing the links to your uncles very special Parkers!

I am sure any of the members here would appreciate owning one of your uncle Richard's fine Parkers.

I'm sorry to hear about your uncles passing, he was a gentleman and was a very fine member here on this forum. I appreciated his advice on aviation and flying.

May he Rest In Peace,

Stan

[ruthidzik]

Thank you so much Stan. I learned an awful lot about fly tying and fly fishing from him just in the past few years luckily. He never did teach me how to fly planes though! ��
Ruth

[Bruce Day]

Several years ago , Rich , Charlie , Dick and i were hunting sharptails and blue grouse in the Wolf Mountains west of Broadus. This is the range that Gen Custer hurried though in hot pursuit of the escaped Oglala and Cheyenne in early June 1876. Here , we were pursuing smaller game.
We were enjoying the days end high in the hills . Dick had his van and we enjoyed a drink at the hunts end . Rich, the professional geologist, and me, a geologist / physicist by education , happened upon an erratic block of brecciated conglomerate and spent some time speculating upon how it could have gotten there , to the amusement of our drinking companions. I will miss Rich.

[todd allen]

RIP, Richard. You will be missed here.

[ruthidzik]

What a great story. Thank you so much for the photos too. My mother is going to love seeing all these pictures you guys have of Richard.
Ruth

[Greg Baehman]

Sad, sad news. Richard enriched the lives of many through his adventurous posts of living in Alaska — an MVP of the Parker community.

[Tom Wooden]

I had the pleasure of hunting with Rich on several occasions, he was a joy to hunt with a wealth of information. After the hunt I always enjoyed the stories of his adventures and the abundance of knowledge he shared. I am saddened by his passing and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.

[Bruce Day]

I looked but I do not have the photo, maybe somebody else can post it.

Rich lived in a cabin he built himself 15 miles outside Fairbanks , wood heat , no running water, outhouse and drive to town in a tanker for water. During winter temperatures of 20 below , the frozen accumulations in the outhouse would rise to stalagmite proportions and threaten to rise through the seat hole. This situation must be dealt with and Rich knew just how. I had found him a high condition 10 ga Parker hammer gun and he used that to advantage to blast away the sharp pointed tower . Stand back , step away and pull the triggers.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Rich was with us before daylight on Lake St. Clair a day when an unpredicted strong wind kicked up and things got hairy to the point I wondered if we were going to make it off the water. He sat up in the front of the boat, completely fearless, rolled with the punches till we got safe into the shallows. We set the rig at sunrise and he shot the biggest bull canvasback I've ever seen with that old 10 gauge hammer gun while the wind howled at our backs.

[Russ Jackson]

I am very sorry we have lost one of our most interesting members , sadly I never had the pleasure to meet Rich in person but always enjoyed his adventures and posts on the forum ! He will be missed !

[charlie cleveland]

sorry to hear of this....i always enjoyed his post and pictures....he knew i liked 55 chevy cars he said there was 4 of these cars at the mines all 4 doors...he jokeing said come get them if i wanted them....really enjoyed his pictures of his plane and hunting pictures....what can i say but that he was one of the best....my condolances to his family....charlie

[Dave Noreen]

Terrible loss! Loved his posts! We will all miss them.

[Mike Poindexter]

His little grouse friends will miss him also. Too soon gone. RIP.

[Garry L Gordon]

We got home late last night and I just saw this thread this morning. Like many others, I only knew Richard through his wonderful posts. What I've read here enhances the impressions I had of him, and I'm glad his family can read the wonderful remembrances from his friends of a life well lived. I'll certainly miss his presence on our forum.

[Mills Morrison]

Sad news

[Dean H Hanson]

Sadness fills my heart. Some folks you never have to meet to truly appreciate a life lived. Peace and love to Rich's family.

[Andrew Sacco]

I never met Richard but I sure wish I had. His posts from Alaska were the most amazing things to read. I was envious. Ruth, you had a wonderful uncle there from the accounts I can muster here on this forum. I'm very sorry for your loss.

[Phillip Carr]

Richard lived the life many of us have dreamed about.
I always looked forward to his postings.
I only had one direct dealing and we both felt we won on a direct 1 for 1 gun trade.
That VH I see is up for sale.

[Eric Eis]

Very sad news. Rich and I hunted a couple of times and it was alyways a fun time. May he RIP

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Sad news indeed, may he rest in peace, Gary

[Mike Koneski]

Praying for his family at this time of loss. Sorry to hear this. Always enjoyed his escapades and posts here on the site.

[Mike Franzen]

I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news. It was totally unexpected. He was tough, rugged and when he was in the room you knew who the smartest guy was. I wrote a story in the Parker Pages about hunting with him in Montana several years ago. RIP …

[Bruce P Bruner]

It is indeed sad to lose one of our own. Unknowingly, I had one of Rich’s Parkers on my watch list. A very high condition grade 2 hammer 10 gauge. When I learned that it was Richard’s gun I felt strongly compelled to try and obtain it. I’m overly sentimental according to my late father. Nevertheless, I am grateful and proud to now own one of Richard’s wonderful Parkers.

[Bruce Day]

That 10 ga hammer Parker came from Canada. I had come across it, I did not need it, it was high condition and little used. Rich and I talked and Rich acquired it. Good on you and enjoy a fine Parker .

[Gerald McPherson]

I also enjoyed his posts and communicating with him. RIP.

[John Dallas]

Rich came back to Michigan about 6 years and I had the opportunity to shoot a round of clays with him. He was struggling with an eye issue, but still was a delightful companion on the course and at the lunch table. RIP

[John Mazza]

I just saw this thread. Sad news, indeed.

Rich: May God bless your soul. Rest well, my friend...

[Angel Cruz]

That is really sad news. My sympathies to the family.
Rest in peace Richard.

[hugh rather]

I always enjoyed his stories of the unique place he lived in and some of the creative solutions to problems encountered in Alaska.Richard always gave good well thought out advice in his communications.He was a great contributor to the forum and will be missed.May he rest with the Lord.

[Paul D Narlesky]

My sincere condolences and prayers of peace to the family..Paul

[Bob Brown]

My sincere condolences to you and your family, Ruth. I was lucky enough to visit and hunt with your uncle several times. For a few years Richard's good friend Trigg Davis would drive with his dog from Anchorage to the continental states in the fall to hunt. Richard would either ride with him or fly commercial to the Grande Prairie, Alberta airport where we'd pick him up. I lived about 3 hours north of GP. We'd head to my friend Brett Larkin's place about 1/2 hour south of GP where he had a few guest cabins in his yard site. The four of us, or five if Trigg's brother Mark could make it, would spend a few days hunting geese and grouse and talking around a fire in the evening before before they'd continue on their way. Whether it was guns, hunting, politics, or Canada/U.S. relations I always appreciated Richard's well thought out and intelligent opinions. My first time hunting over a pointer was with Richard and Trigg, and his wonderful GSP, Shine. What an revelation that was. Trigg called about a month ago and said that Richard was down south and not doing well. I never realized how bad it was. The world is a poorer place without him.

[Daniel B Sweet]

Ruth,
I never met or knew Richard but I would say we had more than one thing in common interest, our love of the outdoors and Parker Shotguns. I met Brian Dudley for the first time today, I handed him a Parker to evaluate for safety prior to use and he immediately recognized it as one of Richard's. I would like to assure both you and Richard that his prized Parker CHE fell into good hands and it will be spending time afield once again. Auction #1017914153

[Bruce Day]

I kept Rich’s CHE for a couple years . He would come hunting with us and kept the gun with me. Congratulations . It is a worthy gun, well kept, nice condition and good balance.