Austin Hogans Passing

[Smoothebore]

Austin was a true gentleman. He had a knack of going out of his way to make everyone feel at home and part of the group. I first met Austin at the 2007 Southern. I didn't know a soul except by pictures in "Parker Pages". I was at the five stand, a total newbie, with my first hammer gun. Austin made a big deal of having me pose for a picture and show off my gun. He must have taken hundreds of pictures that day, maybe more. To my utter surprize, he published that photo with my name in the next issue of "Parker Pages". Austin, my friend, rest in peace. Pam and family you are in my prayers.

Dave

[TOOL MAN]

Very sad news. Don't ask me how, but several years back I had the chance to spend the day with him at Julias, while he examined "Bo-Whoop." At the last minute, that dreaded four-letter "w" word curtailed my plans. How stupid was I? That would indeed have been a day of days, for clearly Austin was one of the few who earned the right to wear the name tag marked, "The Great One."

My sincere condolences to Austin's family.

[edgarspencer]

I was late in joining the organization, and never had the opportunity to meet Austin, but always enjoyed reading anything he wrote. I thrive on reading the thoughts of true engineers, but Austin had a simple way of explaining things that could be understood by all. He was a man whose biography would be enjoyed by many. Sadly, we don't seem to be producing men like him any more, and each time we loose one, we take another small step backwards.
ALS is a terrible disease and his extended family can take small comfort in knowing he is no longer suffering. Never having met him, it still saddens me that we've lost another great mind.