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Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | Roy and Wendy - If you are the couple that we talked to selling raffle tickets in Green Bay I wiil make sure Ricks family know who you are. Take care.
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Posts: 2068
Location: Appleton,WI | I would like to say the showing of rick tonight was very nice.The family did a great job!!A lot of familiar faces there also. |
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| Hey Roger, yep that was the Roy and Wendy we met. They also sent me a very nice email. You didnt have to know Rick long for him to make a posistive impression. Even on those fishermen half way around the world. If I remember right Rick wanted to take them out but had prior commitments so I took them out and we had a great time, and I am sure they heard a few Rick stories in those few days with me as well.
The service was amazing! What the family put together was unbelievable. And thanks again Krappie I know that touched alot of people! And I left feeling alot better than when I arrived there today. The big fella touched alot of people and I am glad to see he had so many friends, where did he find the time? Its almost like he had a secret life outside fishing. Thanks to everyone for being there for us and all the kind words and emails and phone calls. And to Muskie Addict, that was definatly not "petting the cat backwards" you just said what everyone was thinking. Ironically I turned the TV on the other night to get my mind on something else, and "Legends of the Fall" w/ Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins was coming on, I remember Rick and I discussing that movie (a shared favorite between us) on several occasions in the many hours between fish, I lost it a few times, but made it through to the end and the very last sentence of the movie put it all together for me.
Lots of weird things happening the last few days at just the right time. Too much to chalk up to coincidence. The last few days has opened my eyes to many things, and I know I have Rick to thank for it. There has been alot of good already out of this tragedy. And we will make sure he will be remembered.
His son Corey had asked me if we could set up maybe a day where we could take some kids out fishing, because Rick was all about teaching and I would think he would like that, so if anybody is interested in helping out with that let me know. And we have a few other irons in the fire as well that we are working on. |
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| It certainly isn't politically correct to call any funeral classy, but for the lack of a better term, I would call this funeral "classy". Terese did a bangup job of showing Rick's real love of fishing.
And I swear that Rick had that smirk on his face that he was so famous for.
I was great to put faces to names that I've heard in the last few days. It was also special to see some old faces that I haven't seen in a few years.
Shane and Roger, a special thanks to you guys as well as the rest of the guys that helped Rick out on Sunday. Shane with a bad shoulder and Roger with busted ribs showed remarkable strength in their collective attempt to revive the big guy.
After hearing all of the recounts of the incident last night, it really becomes increasingly obvious that there is a higher power working in these situations. Shane in 58 degree water with a dislocated shoulder and have a 50+ fish inches from his face. REMARKABLE.
Driving over a reef on the way to the landing and doing only minimal damage to the motor AND it keeps going. REMARKABLE.
Roger with broken ribs.
Jeremy sinking his boat the day before.
Heck...these guys shouldn't have even been fishing on the day.
Amazing that all would come together for one final meeting. You guys were all there for a reason.
Like shane said last night - "We'll all see that fish again someday".
Shane, count me in for anything you guys want to put together. My health doesn't permit me to do a lot of things anymore, but I can still fish.
Call Terese for my number if you need me.
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Location: Green Bay, WI | Shane Mason - 10/25/2007 10:55 AM
...SNIP...
His son Corey had asked me if we could set up maybe a day where we could take some kids out fishing, because Rick was all about teaching and I would think he would like that, so if anybody is interested in helping out with that let me know. And we have a few other irons in the fire as well that we are working on.
Shane, count me in on this.
In fact, give me a shout when you can. You can reach me at 920-562-0405. Several of us in the Titletown chapter have been talking about this, and I have also been talking to Rick Lax.
Tom Betka
Edited by tcbetka 10/26/2007 9:11 AM
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| i kinda forgot about touching the reef.
i remember rick telling me never to go through there but in the emergency i chose to wing it.
i didnt hit the reef hard though. lucky i guess. i do remember seeing the kicker motor in though and i just took off.
funny things happen in tense situations.
glad to see the people i saw.
shane
koepke brothers
and ricks family. it was a class act with class people......
but because of my kids age and wife having to go to college at 6:30 this morning in rhinelander, we could not stay late.
count me in on a kids day. might hook this in with our muske nutz somehow too.
take carte all and keepo in touch.
dannyboy |
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Posts: 1
| Hi All,
In the short time that I knew Rick, I can honestly say that it really was a real pleasure. I met Rick because of our pro-staff relationship with Lamiglas fishing rods. He was a very valued resource when it came to anything to do with rod building and/or repairs. I was looking forward to seeing him this year at the sport shows, in MN & WI, so that I could share with him the fact that I had joined the Rod Builders Guild and had built my first rod this year. He will be dearly missed. My condolences to the family.
Mark Carlyle |
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Posts: 714
Location: Rhinelander, WI | As many have said words can not describe how I felt when reading all the above comments. My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Rick.
I don’t remember the exact quote, but it goes something like the following”
“Heroes are not born, they are made!” It sounds to me like a few where made on the day of Ricks death.
God bless all of you involved!
Nail A Pig!
Mike
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Posts: 1106
Location: Muskegon Michigan | Our deepest condolences from the Gang at Fishall Lures. Mike and Michelle King |
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Posts: 40
| Although I did not have the opportunity to meet Rick, I must convey to everyone who has offered prayers and condolences to the Rick’s family that your faith, support and friendship are exactly what Rick’s family needs right now.
I’m Shannon, Rick Lax’s wife, and since the day my husband informed me about this awful tragedy I have been offering my thoughts and prayers for this family daily. It is faith that will aide each and every one who has been touched by Rick’s passing toward a healing road. To give some insight into this road let me convey this:
We easily find God in nature; the majesty of a rainbow after a thunderstorm; the still, quiet of a moonlit night when a sudden splash in the water unveils a huge fish; or the deafening roar of the mighty Niagara Falls. God is there, and we marvel at His handiwork.
We quickly identify God’s involvement in the big celebrations of our lives; the birth of a child; the new job that remedies a financial crisis; or the car crash that left the vehicle totaled but our children unscathed. God is there, and we thank Him for His provision. We even acknowledge God’s presence in the midst of tragedy; the report from the pathology lab; the severance notice; or a situation such as this where a man who touched so many lives is suddenly taken from us without notice. We tend to ask “why?” however, we need to not question and understand that God is there to give us His strength.
Seeing God in the “big things” of life is easy. The more difficult task – yet a challenge just as rewarding- is seeing God in our everyday, mundane activities. We mustn’t overlook God in the small stuff. When we realize that God is in the ordinary, our daily grind suddenly has meaning and purpose. The household chores, whether the lawn or the laundry, become an opportunity to express love and care for the other members of the household. A walk to the mailbox brings a chance to greet the neighbor (who may be in desperate need of an encouraging word); a decision to take a trip out fishing may be the call God wanted you to answer as your aide and assistance would be needed on that day. For Shane, Danny, Jeremy and all those involved in helping with Rick, you answered Gods call that day.
Now that I’ve gotten completely long-winded allow me to close by saying that before God created the universe ages ago, He knew all about us. We should not be surprised that He has ordered our days and is interactively involved in the events of our daily routine. Nothing escapes His notice. Nothing is too insignificant for his care. If we are involved with anything, so is He.
To Teresa, Corey, Margo, Shane, Danny, Jeremy, and all others who I have not mentioned by name, please know that although I have never met you, my daily thoughts, prayers and inner strength is being sent your way. Live your lives with the overwhelming sense that God is present in the details all around you and will never give you more than He knows you can bare.
God Bless,
Shannon Lax
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Posts: 8
| Please know that we are reading and finding comfort in all the posts. I want so badly to respond but the words are just jumbled up in my head yet so I will save a lengthy response for another day. The main thing I want everyone to know is that we are so thankful for the support and prayers we are receiving. Your kind words are overwhelming. For now, I can only offer a simple thank you. I want to say so much more but it's just difficult right now to put together the thoughts and the words the way I want to express them. Please excuse the fact that this is such a brief posting, but please realize the depth of our gratitude is unending. I will be back again when I can think better. Thank you all so much.
Terese |
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Location: WI | The story keeps getting stranger by the day. Many of Ricks buddies and acquaintances, in what for many was their first day back on the water since this unfortunate event. To say its the stuff legends are made out of is an understatement. Of the 3 boats I know of in the area where this happened all had a very special day.
Jeremy Van Ert and George Crum (who was supposed to be with us last weekend) had 7 fish with a 48.5 and a 47 being the biggest. I heard another C & R club member (dont know if he wants to be mentioned) had a 50.5 super slob. And Reef Hawg and his partner might have caught Ricks fish (same area, and a scar from being caught recently) which I believe it was a fat 51.5". I know the family had to be smiling after that phone call.
Some of Ricks friends fishing inland had a pretty good day as well. Jason Eichorn who was out fishing with Rick and I just the day before he passed scored his biggest Wisconsin fish to date, a 46, and added a 43. And his partner Travis Kopke also a friend of Ricks scored a nice 46". All of Travis and Jasons fish were brought in on the H2O prototype bait that was named after Rick, the Hardhead.
Someone out there is looking out for us, tomorrow will be my first day back on the water. Hopefully the streak will continue and I will get to one arm net one for Krappie. Dont think I will even be able to cast, but it wont matter, what could be better than spending a day on the water with friends.
Edited by Shane Mason 10/26/2007 9:53 PM
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Posts: 13
Location: Michigan | Shock, Sadness, Regret........
Those are the emotions that I felt this morning when I got the news of Rick's passing.
I had known Rick for the last couple of years, since we worked several of the the Sportfishing trade shows together in various cities across Wisconsin and Minnesota, we had become good friends and spent alot of time talking muskie fishing.
I was suppossed to fish the Tournament with Rick earlier this month, but my dad was in the Intensive Care unit in Tennessee and I had to call Rick and ask if he could find someone to fill the void, as I would not be able to attend.
In typical Rick fashion he said "family comes first...we can go muskie fishing anytime...".
I talked to Rick, that Monday morning to see how he and his partner had faired in the competition. "We had a great time and caught some fish to.... and your equipment worked great....
That was Rick, always putting other people first.
And for those of you who never had the pleasure to work a sportfishing show with Rick, let me tell you he was a true PROFESSIONAL in ALL ASPECTS of the word.
I never had the pleasure to meet his wife or children, but I do know that they were his TOP PRIORITY and that he loved them VERY MUCH, "Family First".
I regret that I will never be able to sit in that Tracker with my friend and listen to the waves slap against the hull as we troll the waters of Green Bay, but there will come a day that we will met again and, knowing Rick, he will have the boat ready to go.
Once again, with tear filled eyes, and a heavy heart, to ALL of Rick's family I offer my most heartfelt condolences.
And to all of Rick's friends (and I know there are many) if you should see me at one of the fishing shows this coming spring, stop in and say hello, and let's spend a moment talking about a GOOD man that I was fortunate enough to have known, and called "my friend".
I had tried to call Rick this morning (2 hrs. prior to the message from our office manager passing the word to me) to let him know that I had been 4 for 7 on lake St. Clair this past Friday (and I thought of him several times that day), but i'm sure the Lord let him know, after he returned from checking out the lake.
Thanks for the Good times my friend, I will think of you often.
Greg Ellison and the entire Traxstech Staff
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Posts: 188
Location: Madison, WI | I've had a couple of people ask me about Rick - people who think they may have met Rick but weren't quite sure. Does anyone have a good picture of Rick they would be willing to post?
Thanks
Craig Eversoll
Live Action Lures, LLC |
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Posts: 359
Location: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | My heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved Rick, especially his family. I will remember you in my prayers.
Shannon's message above was beautiful, to which I can only add: Amen.
Greg
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Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | Here is a picture. Gregg, Rick would want you to know that he was using your stuff when he got that last one and it worked great.
Edited by h2os2t 10/29/2007 3:27 PM
Attachments
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 Rick hardhead 3.jpg (38KB - 215 downloads)
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Posts: 476
Location: WI | I could only hope that when I pass away that I have touched as many lives as Rick has and my own family could read a tribute like you folks have done for Rick's family. Rick sounds like a tremendous individual. |
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| shannon thanks, very touching.
yes rick was using the traxtech trolling accessories and rod holders and he was very happy how the stuff was working on his baot.
good luck to all at big fish time, and rick i know your listenning, can u help us get a 50 or 3 this weekend?
my new sister inlaw will be in the boat and has never caufght a ski. hopefully that changes this weekend.
good luck to all........
dannyboy |
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Location: WI | Last night the Titletown Chapter voted to tie Rick in with the Best of the Best tournament. Was a good time, even Terese came down for that. I am sure that gave Rick a big ole smile seeing Terese there.
Thanks for stepping up guys!
Still working out some of the other ideas we have been tossing around, thanks for all the guys who have stepped up and offered to help.
He keeps on shining on his friends!
We will keep you up to date when we know more. |
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