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Posted

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.

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Posted

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)

Posted

I met Ray the first time I went to Crane. Great guy - he will definitely be missed.

- Nick

Posted

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

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Posted

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.

Posted

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.

Posted

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

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