[ahfoxman]

I met Russ when he opened a small gunshop on Rt 61 outside of Reading, Pa. with Mr. Banser. They had recently graduated from a Gunsmithing school in the Pittsburg area and one of his school projects was converting a Sterlingworth to a 45/70 double rifle. I stopped in and mentioned I liked Fox Guns and that led to a visit the next afternoon. That resulted in a friendship that lasted thru some 120 Ohio Gun Collector Shows and many other adventures over the years. He called me his mentor, and I was privileged to have had him as a friend. He left us way too soon. I also have his 16 bore Purdey Funeral Grade along with other personal items and they are all cherished by me.