Russ Bickel has passed away

[Kevin McCormack]

Russ Bickel, a good friend and wonderfully talented gunsmith, passed away late yesterday following complications after a triple bypass heart surgery two weeks ago. Russ repaired and refurbished many Parkers for PGCA members as well as others who were drawn to his talents. His work on other American doubles, especially Winchester Model 21s, had to be seen to be truly appreciated. His talents, persona and presence will be sorely missed.

[Bruce Day]

My condolences.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr Bickle, but I know many here spoke highly of him.
Your loss is our loss.

[Eric Eis]

Really don't know what to say, he was a super person and will be missed by all.... Sorry don't have any words. Eric

[Dave Suponski]

I met Russ at Hausemanns a few years ago and had a wonderful conversation with him. I was left with the impression that he was a man of many talents. Rest in piece Russ you will be missed.

[Larry Frey]

Russ was a wonderful person and talented gunsmith. I have two Parkers he repaired for me not too long ago and I will think fondly of him every time I shoot them. My sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

[Bill Murphy]

I am devastated. People like Russ should live forever. He was a collector of important shotguns, waterfowler, African hunter, great pigeon and clay target shooter, and the man could use a file. I will wait for those who knew him better to write a proper eulogy. I still have the scoresheet from the last time I shot with him, a wonderful day. He shot a Parker hammer gun that he had barrelled in fluid steel, himself.

[Rich Anderson]

I'm shocked! He was just starting his retirement and getting his life in order after his father passed away. I have a CHE 20 that he restocked for me and it's a special gun to me and even more so now.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Russ was one of my best shooting friends. I don't even know where to start talking about him. I met him first in a goose blind on the Chester River when Don Kaas had invited me out for a pigeon shoot at Philly. I liked him from the start, and liked him even more as I got to know him. I've stayed at his home, hunted over his dogs, drank his whiskey, and laughed till I hurt over the tales he could tell. He worked on my guns (usually for free), shared his knowledge with me, and was just an all around gentleman.

I've shot pigeons with that hammer gun Murphy mentions. Even in my inept hands it was murder and when he shot it was near magic. When I was last in the east on a railbird shooting invite from Kaas, I stopped in to visit him and go to a pigeon shoot at The Berm Club which he'd helped found. The weather was perfect, we had as fine a day as you can ask for. I didn't know that was the last time I'd ever see him but it's as good a final memory as a man might ever want for a friend.

Found a couple pictures I thought I'd post:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/MarketHunter/image013.jpg
On a pheasant shoot last winter with his dogs and myself at Wing Pointe.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/MarketHunter/RussKevin.jpg
After the last shot was fired for a limit of ducks in Quebec, that's Kevin on the left.

[Dean Romig]

I am honored to have known Russ Bickel. He was the gentleman's gentleman in every respect and a very talented man. I always enjoyed talking with him and listening in when he talked with others about their guns. I was fortunate enough to have had Russ put my DH's Titanic barrels back on face and rust-blue them perfectly. Russ fitted a set of GH Damascus barrels to my DH too so that I could shoot it in 'Damascus only' events and of course did a perfect job fitting them too.

If Russ had never worked on my guns I would still admire the man. Rest in peace Russ.

[Kevin McCormack]

A service for Russ will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at the Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading PA 19611 (Phone 610-374-5440). Visitation will be held from 1-3 PM with a service from 3-4 PM. Reception will follow at Fish Pond West, 100 Swift Water Lane, Reading PA 19601.

[Jeff Mulliken]

"The man could use a file", wow. That is a line that says a lot about the era of real craftmanship.

There are not many left in the world that can. It is sad to say that we are seeing the end of an era.....

Jeff

[charlie cleveland]

wish i could have known this man....hes now walking with the other greats.... charlie

[Don Kaas]

I just came from Russ' house where I needed to pick up a few of my things and some of Destry and Kevin' stuff. It was my first visit there since his death. Very sad. He will be missed. Russ, BTW, was only 53...a kid...I was on the fence about whether to go to Argentina again this summer or back to Africa for my 7th safari...screw it...I booked them both. Life is very short.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Russ was only 11 years older than myself, kinda makes a man think. Maybe I'll go along to Argentina with you myself....


Destry

[william faulk]

Memories last long after we are gone...

[charlie cleveland]

way to go don and destrey...shoot one for us...thats why im putting in all the time ican in the woods...as all as said life is way to short...even shorter for some... charlie

[Richard Flanders]

53?! Damn. I think I can remember 53.... Damn straight Mr. Kaas... you go to Argentina and Africa and burn some powder. Makes one realize that every day is a gift not to be squandered. Maybe I'll fly out for the ptarmigan hunting on Wednesday instead of splitting firewood....

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Life is short, and we do not have much time to gladend the hearts of those that travel with us, so be swift to love, and make haste to be kind! Old saying

[Dean Romig]

As time rushes on and we, to our ultimate destinies, are swept helplessly along... we wish for time to stop - to stand still even for a little while - and it seems to do so when we are out there, hunting, shooting, enjoying our favorite guns and dogs and friends in the places that we love where time does stand still just for us and seems to wait a bit as the rest of the world hurtles on, headlong, into oblivion.

Enjoy it while you can friends. :cheers:

[Donald Hockaday]

Well stated Chilled Shot and a great day to you all. Enjoy while you can.

[edgarspencer]

As my Dad's hunting buddy, a big red-nosed Irish Lawyer, used to say "We're only here for a bit, but we're dead for a very long time".

[Robin Lewis]

While looking at a Harley-Davidson, the salesman said...... "It isn't a dress rehearsal, you know". So true!'

[Richard Flanders]

I'm going down to fuel and load the little red plane with snow shoes and a shotgun with ammo... it has to be done... resistance is futile..... don't anyone try to reach me tomorrow...

[Don Kaas]

Atta boy, Flanders, atta boy...I think I'll just stay working here at the computer so I can pay for my hunting trips...

[Richard Flanders]

Thanks Don. I'm outa here as soon as the sun comes up a tad. Gorgeous clear 29deg morning here at 0715. No plane preheat necessary. And the first geese of the year have landed in Delta Jct., 85mi southeast of Fairbanks! They'll be in Fairbanks in a week or less. They plow a large field at an historic dairy farm on the north edge of town that is now a game refuge and houses the fish and game offices and spread grain and the northbound birds flood in there by the thousands for an easy meal - ducks, geese, sandhill cranes. There's even a rooster pheasant who overwintered on the refuge this year - a first. The viewing station right on the road draws big crowds. THIS is what marks the arrival of spring in Fairbanks.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Wish them well for me Richard. I'd like to make an Oregon or California hunting trip again this year so I've high hopes for a good hatch in the west.

DLH