Members Bamboozle Posted June 21, 2013 Members Posted June 21, 2013 My good friend Ray Krouscup -- known here as Ray from Crane or rfc -- passed away earlier this week. Ray was strong medicine and it was impossible to be neutral about him. He rubbed a few folks the wrong way from time to time, but it was always in the context of caring deeply about protecting and preserving Crane Creek. He almost always had a 357 by his side, but inside he was a teddy-bear who shared with all of us an awesome reverence for Crane Creek. I will be sad next time I am down fishing knowing that Ray's not going to appear on the horizon with a new fly-rod -- or handgun -- for me to try out. RIP Ray.
Daryk Campbell Sr Posted June 21, 2013 Posted June 21, 2013 Very sorry to hear of his passing. Money is just ink and paper, worthless until it switches hands, and worthless again until the next transaction. (me) I am the master of my unspoken words, and the slave to those that should have remained unsaid. (unknown)
Nick Williams Posted June 21, 2013 Posted June 21, 2013 I met Ray the first time I went to Crane. Great guy - he will definitely be missed. - Nick
jdmidwest Posted June 22, 2013 Posted June 22, 2013 And 2 spare speed loaders to boot. That man was prepared for anything. Never met him, but looks like a great guy. You have to admire the wheel gunners, they are a dying breed. I switched from speed loaders to loader strips a few years back, they are easier to carry concealed. But they are not as fast to reload. "Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously." — Hunter S. Thompson
Gavin Posted June 22, 2013 Posted June 22, 2013 If you ever bought a Don's Crawfish from Hargrove..Ray tied it, plus a few others.
Members dogwooddude Posted June 22, 2013 Members Posted June 22, 2013 Ray was a true custodian of Crane Creek and anyone who took the time to chat with him became an instant friend. He will be missed and like most people that knew him, I will hear his voice in the sound of the wind in the trees and the gentle riffle of the water. Rest in Peace old chap, you were one of a kind.
Lancer09 Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 Man that's a real bummer. Just about every time I'd be Dow.there he would too and would stop for a chat. I know he put me on a pretty good hatch one time as well.
Andrew324 Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 Farewell to the Keeper, Mayor, and Friend of Crane Creek. I still have some flies from him that will now go on the mantle. Heard the news from Lancer today. Haven't been on OAF since I moved out here to Colorado, and meant to send Ray an email letting him know I was moving. What a pleasure it was to talk with him on the sides of the stream, Rusty and Jake rooting around, wallowing in something. Ray always had a good deal of knowledge about the stream, and loved it dearly. He always like to keep a good hiking stick by the tree near the trailhead at Lower Wire. I will miss him, and it makes me sad that if I whenever I return to the creek I won't run into him. I found one of the last emails he sent me in which he wrote about seeing a nice fish: "Let me know when you are going to be here will show you where. Boys and I are going out now. Dogs guns fly rods what a life all most forgot wife. get well rfc" Cheers and here's to you Ray! Andy Nelson Andrew Nelson Outdoor Adventures Graduate Assistant Campus Recreation Missouri State University
Nighthawk Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 What a great ambassador and river keeper, always enjoyed stopping to chat. He will be sorely missed.
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