Each day afield during this glorious fall hunting season, like every glorious fall hunting season, my mind is aflutter with stream-of-consciousness adventure.
Surely, the here and now of each hunt is compelling and obsessive in our indefatigable quest to connect with the spirits of the beasts, but the clarity of being from which wildground time provides is as soul cleansing as it gets.
The woods breathe life into powerful memories of family time and sacred campfires shared with fellow hunting BloodBrothers.
I often reminisce of joyous past times with my dad, Fred Bear, Bob Munger, Ed Bilderback, Dick Lattimer, Doug Walker, George Nicholls, Marv Leslie, Ron Chamberlain and so many other amazing friends that have gone to the Big Hunt in the afterlife.
Though I miss them terribly and still struggle with the abstract of life’s end, my thoughts are more happy than not.
Some of them some of you may know, but with the recent loss of an amazing American and amazing bowhunter, I want to be sure that you know my friend Dick Mauch.
We who were so very blessed to know the great man truly mourn his passing, but as always, count the eternal blessings of having shared his long, loving, powerful life here on earth.
I will let our Spirit BloodBrother, Frank Addington Jr., tell you about Dick Mauch. Though a mere snapshot of a phenomenal life lived, the more that you know about Dick, the better your life will be.
Richard Lee Mauch
Born October 22, 1926
Passed October 13, 2019
It would be impossible to write all of the accomplishments, activities, businesses and charitable work this good man squeezed into 93 years in a few short paragraphs. You could not even list the high points of his life as it would take an entire book. Those that knew Dick Mauch will agree. If you did not know him, perhaps this remembrance will give you a glimpse into a Christian life well lived.
Dick was a rancher/farmer/businessman and manufacturer. He was active right up until his 91st year in most of the hobbies that he loved, including fishing, hunting with his dogs and hosting a who’s who of folks at his beloved Plum Hollow ranch in the Sandhills of Nebraska, where he did most of the cooking.
Dick was born in a house his father built and attended Bassett Grade School. He graduated from Rock County High School (1944) and attended the U.S. Naval Air Training Center, becoming an AV Radioman 3rd Class. He attended the University of Nebraska, making the Dean’s honor roll list and was active in his ATO Fraternity.
As a child he built model airplanes and later would own and pilot his own plane. He had a lifelong love of flying. Although he lost his father in 1952, he never forgot many of the lessons that his father taught him, and Dick would later become a mentor to many young people that he encountered along the way.
In his lifetime he was active in a number of organizations including Bassett Lions Club & Chamber of Commerce, Masonic A.F. & A.M. Lodges having served three times Past Grand Master of the old Basset Lodge #254, and he held dual memberships in the Silver Cord Lodge #224 of Ainsworth and #136 Long Pine Lodge.
He met famous bowhunter Fred Bear in 1961. Dick eventually sold his interest in the family business and invested in Bear Archery in 1964. His initial role there was to help Fred Bear with its marketing, sales promotion and Dick even wrote their first dealer’s manual. He later would help with sales in the West and Northwest. He helped develop the National Bowhunter Education Program, and also helped to get the bowhunting record-keeping organization Pope and Young Club up and going. He opened Corn Husker Archery, which was based in Bassett and manufactured strings for bows.
Dick served as President of the AMO (Archery Manufacturers Organization) and helped develop technical standards for the archery manufacturers.
On March 8, 1982, he married his wife Carol. Although she was much younger than Dick, he always joked that he married her just so that he could hunt with her Vizsla hunting dog. Together the two enjoyed hunting trips far and near and almost always had Vizsla dogs by their side.
Dick and Carol hosted a who’s who of nationally known archery and hunting personalities at their ranch north of town. Fred Bear, Earl Hoyt and even rock-and-roll legend Ted Nugent are just a few of the personalities that enjoyed spending time with the Mauchs. Known for their hospitality, Dick would often make guests his famous sourdough waffles that came from the little Delta camp in Alaska as a starter. It was one of the few hunting camps where guests often gained weight from all of the great meals.
Although he received numerous accolades, awards and recognition in his lifetime, here are a few highlights. He held an honorary life membership in the Pope and Young Club, was the Nebraska Bowhunter of the Year in 2010, was inducted into the Nebraska Archery Hall of Fame in 2011, and was given the Icon award by the Archery Hall of Fame in 2016. He was also active in Compton’s, another bowhunting organization close to his heart.
Dick was honored to be inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in 2018. It was a crowning achievement for this humble and kind man that had done so much to promote, protect and grow the sport of archery and bowhunting. He was recognized by the archery community for his dedication and promotion of the sport he loved so much.
Dick Mauch was a Methodist. He held a strong Faith in God and loved to share his faith with others. He was also a patriotic man and loved his country. He delighted in educating young people by singing the little-known second verse of the National Anthem. He always had time to talk to a youngster and share his wisdom and his humor. Rock-and-roll legend Ted Nugent had this to say about his late friend Dick: “America is a better place and my life is richer because of great men like Dick Mauch. Dick embodied how we are created in the image and likeness of God.”
Dick loved the poet Edgar Guest, so it would only be fitting to end with this quote from Mr Guest:
“I’d like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me. I’d like to be the help that you’ve been always glad to be; I’d like to mean as much to you each minute of the day, as you have meant, old friend of mine, to me along the way.”
Although we say so long to a kind, humble and great man, we know Dick is finally able to have eternal rest. Writing this obituary was very difficult because you can’t describe all of the things about this great man in a few paragraphs. He was kind, funny and wise. A wonderful host and the best friend you could have. Although he did not have any children of his own, many of us that have known him will carry the lessons that he taught us forward.
Frank Addington’s Amazing Archery
www.frankaddingtonjr.com
As we go afield this special time of year, it is important to not forget the trailblazers who sacrificed dearly to develop and construct this awe-inspiring hunting heritage that we so enjoy each day. Dick Mauch was truly legendary in his leadership roles in the world of conservation, land stewardship and hunting ethics.
It is true that my life is richer for knowing this great gentleman, and we should all work hard to keep the honor that these founding fathers established in the world of the great outdoors and beyond.
Believe me when I tell you — in the wind, he’s still alive!
Multi-platinum guitar legend TED NUGENT has a new full-length album THE MUSIC MADE ME DO IT, released on Friday, November 9, on Round Hill Records. The album is available now for order everywhere, and the title track “The Music Made Me Do It” is available to download and stream wherever music is sold.
Ted Nugent – “The Music Made Me Do It” (Official Music Video)
With more than 40 million albums sold, rock legend Ted Nugent is equally well known as the nation’s most outspoken proponent of our 1st and 2nd Amendment rights, conducting thousands of pro-gun, pro-freedom, pro-American interviews in major media worldwide. Nugent is a New York Times best-selling author whose works include Ted, White & Blue —The Nugent Manifesto; God, Guns & Rock ‘n’ Roll and Kill It & Grill It.This year, his award-winning Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild TV show celebrates its 500th episode! For all things Nuge, visit www.tednugent.com