~ In Memoriam 2011 ~

~ In Memoriam 2011 ~

A unusual number of sudden tragedies produced devastating losses to our friends and colleagues in the taxidermy profession this year. Along with way too many industry pioneers who left us due to illness and the passing of time, we pay tribute to the lasting legacy of our friends who will be missed and mourned within our extended taxidermy family. Here are some of our comrades who left our world during 2011.





John Zolinski, age 50, passed away on January 2, 2011. He was a beloved member of the Michigan Taxidermist Association. Known by his MTA friends as "Big John", he was the type of man who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was a gentle soul with a heart of gold.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,246050.0.html





Tom Hunter, 61, (HunterTax on Taxidermy.Net), of Wiggins, Mississippi passed away on January 15, 2011. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, declining health in recent years forced him to slow down the work in his studio, Hunter Taxidermy.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,248669.0.html





John Crossley, 59, the founder of Tohickon Glass Eyes in Pennsylvania, died February 20, 2011. John was an expert in taxidermy and the manufacturing of glass eyes. He spent many years dedicating his life to helping the oppressed and persecuted in Communist Eastern Europe and later also helped orphans and disabled people in the poorest countries.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,254163.0.html





Doug Campbell, 58, of Clayton, Illinois, passed away on May 9, 2011. Doug was an active member (Missouri Creek Studio) on the Taxidermy Net since its inception in 1996. Doug served as President of the ITA and loved to compete. He was working on a bear to take to the World Taxidermy Championships and the NTA convention in July when he died.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,268286.0.html



Award winning taxidermist Jeanie Anderson of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, died of lung cancer in May 2011.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,291988.0.html





Bob Chauvin of Casselberry, Florida passed away Saturday, May 14, 2011. Bob was a frequent contributor to Breakthrough Magazine and before that Joe Bruchac's Modern Taxidermist Magazine. Bob was also the author of the classic book, "Sculptor Taxidermy Methods" published by Joe Bruchac in 1985. Bob was a gentle, talented and dedicated soul of a man who quietly helped us get to where we are today.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,266255.0.html
http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,266441.0.html



Taxidermist Frank Parker from Jackson County, Mississippi passed away on May 26, 2011.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,267635.0.html





Dan Chase, 76, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, died on June 1, 2011. The founder of Dan Chase Taxidermy Supply, he had a huge impact on the taxidermy industry. Dan enjoyed deer hunting, Northwestern football and athletics, and spending time with his family.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,268531.0.html





Randy Caddell, 50, of Como, Texas died in a truck accident June 25, 2011. Randy owned and operated The Deer Shop, where he processed game and did taxidermy work. An avid hunter, Caddell and his family enjoyed hunting and the outdoors.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,271260.0.html
http://www.frontporchnewstexas.com/funeralservicesset062811.htm





Fred Coring, 58, of Cottonwood, California, passed away in his sleep on July 19, 2011 after a brief illness. He operated PA's Taxidermy, and was well loved by all who knew him. Known as Fred C on the Taxidermy Net Forum, he attended Michael P's pedestal class in Texas where he made a big impression on all the other participants.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,273469.0.html





Simon T. Blackshaw of the Netherlands is pictured here at the 2009 WTC banquet, the last time he visited the USA. Simon, a multiple World Champion in taxidermy and fish carving, passed away at age 53 on July 21, 2011 after a long illness. Simon was in a class by himself, with amazing talent that dazzled his friends, yet he always managed to be humble and approachable. In May, Simon was the recipient of the World Show Lifetime Achievement Award. Click the YouTube link below to see the banquet video, as well as Simon's poignant acceptance speech.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,273826.0.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yVgML3LAdM





William Lee Birch, 94, died on August 6th, 2011. He was instrumental in the operation of the National Taxidermists Association from 1975 until 1990. He was elected to the Board of Directors before serving as Executive Director from 1981 until 1990. He received the first NTA Pioneer Award in 1996.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,275676.0.html





Robert Fruitt, 35, of Olde Raleigh Taxidermy in Clayton, NC, is pictured here in 2003 with his Marco Polo sheep after winning the WASCO Award for the Most Artistic Entry at the 2003 North Carolina Taxidermists Association Convention. Robert was killed in a tragic accident on Monday, September 19, 2011.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,279656.0.html





Steve Favour, 57, of Signature Taxidermy Studio</A> in Flagstaff, Arizona, is pictured here giving a seminar on form alteration at the 2010 Arizona Taxidermy Artists Association Convention. Steve was killed in a tragic accident on September 23, 2011. Steve, known as SFavour on the Taxidermy Net Forum, was one of the most generous taxidermy philanthropists of all time. He donated thousands to establish relief efforts for taxidermists in need.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,279970.0.html





John O. Cook, Jr., 86, of Biloxi, Mississippi, is pictured here with his wife of 65 years, Helen, and his great-grandson Andrew. John passed away on September 25, 2011 at home surrounded by family after a brief illness. A taxidermist since 1952, John was honored with the NTA Pioneer Award for his role in the development of the National Taxidermists Association where he served on the Board of Directors for 12 years.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,280099.0.html
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sunherald/obituary.aspx?n=john-o-cook&pid=153845514





This lifesize steenbok mount by Andy Bartmess of Texas won a First Place ribbon at the 2000 National Taxidermists Association convention held in Lubbock, Texas. Andy passed away on December 15, 2011. After surviving an automobile accident many years ago, Andy was confined to a wheelchair, but his disability did not stop him from producing award-winning taxidermy, hunting, fishing, and serving on the Board of Advisors of the Texas Taxidermy Association.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,288582.0.html





Jim Hall of Idaho Falls, Idaho, died on December 27, 2011. Jim was a true taxidermy legend, and he was responsible for the development of many of the industry standards which we now take for granted. It is impossible to overstate his contributions to taxidermy, from being involved in the genesis of live taxidemy seminars, the World Taxidermy Championships, Breakthrough Magazine, taxidermy instruction manuals, taxidermy video seminars, Polytranspar Airbrush Paint, and Master Paint Systems, which later became WASCO. His depictions of wildlife in interaction with man opened up a whole new genre of taxidermy displays which are still the main influence in competitions today.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,291528.0.html



Last year's "In Memoriam 2010": http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,245312.0.html