​Cowboy Tributes

"Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees."
                                                         -Stonewall Jackson 1863

Tribute to a Fallen Cowboy and Friend Hiem Passed on  2/22/20. He will be Missed

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Picture
Scrub leading the charge
"Scrub"
1961 - 2014
Scrub, aka Steve Rickert

        Do you cowboys and cowgirls remember Scrub? I thought you did. You would see Scrub at High Country, Walnut Grove and Gunpowder Creek. There may have been other places he would visit to bang and clang with us. It is sad for me to report that Scrub died today after a bout with cancer. Scrub was a very strong person and came to shoot on days where he could barely stand and fire his rifle. There were times where his guns were carried from the loading table to the stage and back to the unloading table. At times he could barely stand up and shoot because he was so very weak. Do you think Scrub with his declining health was going to allow something like his illness to keep him from shooting? No Way? He moved into Wild Bunch as well. He told me he wanted to do everything possible in Cowboy Action Shooting, Wild Bunch and Civil War Reenactment while the sun still shined on him. Many of you might not have known Scrub was a Major in the US Air Force in the Security Police Squadron. I believe he was one of the first to move from enlisted to Officer because of the drive he had to succeed. Scrub would never want us to be sad but to celebrate just being able to have known such a wonderful and humble person. I loaned Scrub some ammunition to complete a match and he brought me a very large bag of reloading components. I said thanks but pass that on to another cowboy someday but thanks for the offer but this is just the cowboy way. He never wanted anyone to think he was a slacker. Even when he became very weak he was always worried still about being a slacker. He was the most humble Cowboy I think I have met so far. He will be missed and our thoughts and prayers should be directed to his family. I think Scrub left behind two sons and a wife. Those are the ones that will find it the hardest to move forward but we all must. He will always be remembered. As arrangements are made I hope we can pass them on to all the cowboys that knew our friend and Pard. We love you Scrub.

                                                                 ~Skeeter Willie
                                                       
I am a better man because of Scrub. He will be missed. What I learned from him will not be forgotten. RIP my good man.

                                                                            ~Levi
A fine man and great cowboy. He will be missed.

                                                                      ~Pork Chop                                            
He waged an inspiring fight. Rest in peace Scrub.   
                                                                  ~Rhett Butler
I just heard that a fellow reenactor and cowboy shooter, Steve Rickert (Scrub is his cowboy name), has passed away after struggling for two years with pancreatic cancer. He reenacted right through September and shot through October. I sent his wife a note telling her that he and I reenact courageous men, but he is the most courageous man I have known recently because he refused to let the disease keep him at home and away from doing what he wanted to do. He and I met cowboy shooting when he showed up at Walnut Grove wearing a Union uniform. We saw each other at at least a dozen Civil War events over the last several years. Let his life be a lesson for all who become ill, but who can still get around. There is a country song: "Live like you are dying." Scrub did that. I admired him for that.            
                                                            ~ Carolina Clint
"Ugly Bill"
1939 - 2010

Mr. William "Bill" Gary Poteat. A veteran of the Air Force, he retired from Lithium Corporation, and was owner/operator of Poteats Guns. He was a gunsmith and certified instructor in wildlife and concealed weapons. He was an avid deer hunter and participated in Cowboy Shoots with SASS.  Stage 4 at the Walnut Grove is dedicated to him.
"Rabbi"
1940 - 2013

Ben Tielman, was born January 31, 1940 on Folkingestrat, in Groningen, NL. Ben was a hidden child survivor of The Holocaust. After World War II he moved to Israel where he entered the IDF. He served in the Golanies in the Israeli Army and fought in The Six Day War, The Yom Kipper War, and the war in Lebanon. He also participated on the Raid on Entebbe. He returned to the Netherlands where he served in the Dutch Army and with the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces in Lebanon. For their excellence in this endeavor, the Dutch battalion was awarded both the Nobel Prize and Carnegie Award. He served in the Queen's Guard of Honor for six years. He became assistant stable master to Queen Beatrix and taught the present King of Holland , Willem-Alexander, how to ride. After leaving the Dutch Army, he served with the Dutch Special Police and retired as Director of Special Police in Groningen. Following his retirement, he volunteered to work with Groningen City Promotions and presented an event, Country Week, each year in Groningen.  He later became the Team Manager for the Dutch Olympic Bobsled Team. He was a life member of the Gunpowder Creek Regulators in Lenoir and enjoyed SASS shooting. He served as a mentor with the McNair Foundation for five years. He frequently spoke to school students about what it was like as a child in WWII Holland. He also enjoyed participation in Little League Activities and was assistant coach to his grandson's team. He was an avid Owls fan and also enjoyed watching soccer, football, and baseball. He loved animals. Ben was a friend to many and very active in the community.