Rich was one of the best of the best! A master of the short bow. And probably the most generous person I have ever known. Any of the little fundraisers I did here for one reason or another Rich was usually the first in with a donation. When everyone chipped in and paid my way to the Classic I swore I would pay it forward and offered to see to it Rich would get to go. He flat out refused the gift. In fact, he not only refused but demanded I give him my address so he could send me a bow to say thanks for thinking of him. Then he sent me THREE!
I have used his bows many times at Rendezvous to teach kids about how simple a bendy handle can be. I'd get the kids started on a hickory board that was mostly shaped and then offer them paintbrushes and tempera paints to make it theirs. I deeply regret not getting photos of these kids bow making sessions to show him.
I am gonna dig into my collection and find a few bows, match up some arrows for kids....and find kids to give them to in honor of Rich "Half Eye" Rousseau.
Rich....we are going to miss you, brother. I'd tell you to not use up all the good staves in heaven, but you'll naturally leave those and take the stuff no one wanted - and still crank out great short bendy bows!
