R I P Doc Van

Bruce Day · 12-17-2015, 06:25 PM

Good bye to a fine man, James Van Blaricum, DDS, of Pratt, Kansas. Doc Van was a PGCA life member, Parker collector, longtime president of the Kansas Dental Association, an oral surgeon who was on call in the hospital emergency rooms, a former Miss America state and national board member and judge, and a hell of a shot.

He seemed to be doing fine until a few days ago, on Dec 7 we talked about fixing up one of his 20 Ga Parkers to give to a grandson and the possibility of getting together for one last hunt this pheasant season. On Dec 15, he passed away at home.

He went with us to South Dakota and enjoyed his Scotch whisky with John Dunkle. He told tales of Miss America wardrobe malfunctions. He was with us in Dodge City, and enjoyed knocking down the long shot high flyers, and awed us with a solo performance of Handel's Messiah in the country church of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Windthorst, Kansas.

His forebears in southern Kansas recalled the Comanches and the treaty at Medicine Lodge. They treated the early frontiersmen, buffalo hunters, settlers and rangers.

Doc Van north of Wessington Springs, South Dakota:

John D. · 12-17-2015, 06:31 PM

This is sad news, Bruce.... Doc was a wonderful gentleman in the finest sense of the word. While on the hunts - he was always there - either blocking or simply giving encouragement to the rest of us...

He will be missed...

My thoughts and prayers to his surviving family and to all his friends.

Yes - a true gentleman was lost in a world where there are so few.

John D.

Bill Murphy · 12-17-2015, 06:40 PM

Don't know him, never met him, but if he soloed a Catholic ceremony, killed a bunch of pheasants, judged Miss America contests, and shot Parker shotguns, he must be one of us.

Dean Romig · 12-17-2015, 06:43 PM

My prayers and condolences to his family.
I never had the pleasure of meeting this fine gentleman and only wish I had.
I've seen many, many pictures of him in mutual enjoyment with your group of shooter/collectors. Guys like him just can't be replaced. Rest in Peace Doc.

.

Fishtail · 12-17-2015, 07:10 PM

Always sad to see a Parker shooter go....sounds like he had his priorities straight!

Hammer Gun · 12-17-2015, 08:21 PM

Condolences here also, sounds like it was sudden and some time that is a blessing in disguise, I will say a prayer for his family, I am sure he is walking the field of dreams, Gary

JLoew · 12-17-2015, 08:25 PM

Hunted with Doc and his son once in SD. We had a ball together. Doc was a kind a caring man- I will miss him and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.