|
|
Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | I am posting for my friend Shane Mason, who wanted to send a thanks out to the people who helped on Green Bay yesterday.
Late yesterday afternoon, Popular guide and Walleye tournament angler Rick Meverdan, passed away unexpectedly while releasing his largest Musky to date, a 50”er. Luckily, Jeremy Vanert and Shane Mason were nearby, and were able to get to Rick quickly. Shane wanted to thank Jeremy for his CPR efforts, and Dannyboy(Ricks partner for the day) for driving the boat to meet the ambulance.
Rick was a helpful friend to anyone that knew him, and will be sorely missed by all of us. I just regret not accepting the short notice invite to fish the best of the best tourney with him last weekend, though am sure his partner(Jan Regal) is equally happy that he got to spend those hours with him.
Foremost, condolences go out to Ricks family at this time. You are in all of our prayers.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1086
| Wow. My condolences to all of Rick's family and friends.
I've heard many stories throughout the years of people passing away while out golfing and doing things they love doing. To pass while muskie fishing and releasing a fish of that caliber, is fine way to go if your time is up. Hopefully he passed quickly, quietly and with peace and ease. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | I am speechless.
I haven't known Rick for long, but was quickly impressed at his easy going manner. My prayers go out to his family and friends. |
|
| |
|
| i tried so hard to get him in the boat. im just in shock.i couldnt pull him up until jeremy helped me and shane went in the water to help.i held his arm and head up the best i could.
thanks shane, roger,joe and jeremy for helping.and all others who called 911 and tried to assist.
please keep his family , wife and kids in your thoughts today......
dannyboy |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1906
Location: Oconto Falls, WI | I got the call from Shane last night, and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I haven’t known Rick all that long either, but he was easy to make friends with. I got to know Rick a little bit through Titletown Muskies Inc. and through being friends with Shane Mason. I am honored to get to try out some of the rods that Rick owned or built.
Thanks to Shane, Jeremy, Danny, and others who were there yesterday and tried your best to help Rick out. I couldn’t imagine doing what you guys did.
My family and I will have Rick’s family in our prayers.
|
|
| |
|
Location: Green Bay, WI | I am in shock as well. I spoke with him at the boat launch at 7AM, and we saw each other throughout the day, until we left just before 3PM. I only knew him for about 6 months since joining the Titletown club, but he was without a doubt a very outgoing and helpful person. He made me feel very welcome to the club.
Thanks for everything you guys did to try to save him. As someone who has been through this before (my father died in similar fashion several years ago, but there was no one there to help him), you need to know that at the end of the day, your actions will provide a tremendous relief to his family. As a family member of someone that has died in such a way, all you can do is to wonder is "what if" he had help? But by your actions, rest assured that Rick's family will have the comfort of knowing that he wasn't alone--and that he received as much help as was possible, given the situation.
Even though the outcome was tragic, you guys need to take comfort in the fact that you acted in the manner you did. Here's to you all...
And God Bless Rick and his family.
Tom Betka |
|
| |
|
Posts: 419
Location: Appleton, WI | Wow I was very shocked and stunned when I heard also from Shane. There's very little a guy can say when things happen like this. It's good that Rick had such good guys around him at the time. Rick's in my prayers and will be in my thoughts.
catch ya later,
Krappie |
|
| |
|
| So sorry to hear about Rick, but at least his passing was spent doing what he loves. My prayers go out to his entire family and friends. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Sorry to hear about this tragedy. How did it happen? My thoughts and prayers are for Rick's family. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 113
Location: Green Bay, WI | What more can I say about Rick. You can see by these posts what kind of guy Rick was. My thanks go to all who helped also.
Rick and his family will be in our prayers
Jay |
|
| |
|
Posts: 5874
| Wow, I am saddened by this terrible news. Rick was a great guy, always willing to talk. I remember him best from sitting in the StowMaster trailer at the PWT, working on a rod, sanding, filing, fitting, until it was perfect, talking about the day's fishing, or Green Bay muskies. He will be missed.
Rick and his family will be our thoughts.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Rick was a friend and a great representative for this sport. I can't believe I am reading this, it just doesn't seem possible. he will be sorely missed.
My personal condolences to his friends and family. One thing, he was doing what he truly loved when he passed away; something the rest of us can only hope for.
This just doesn't seem right. He was soooo easy going, one just expects to see him several times a year and shoot the breeze.
I'll miss him. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 40
| I was just informed of Rick’s passing and must say I’m in complete shock! My fishing partner and I had the pleasure of fishing with Jon Regal and Rick at the Best of the Best tournament. We were also we lucky to see them boat a couple of nice fish. My deepest condolences to Rick’s family and to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Rick Lax |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1245
Location: Madtown, WI | wow.....
I will say a prayer for his family and friends....
Cory
|
|
| |
|
| Dont really feel like talking right now, but I feel I have to say something.
Rick was not just one of my best friends, he was more than that. He was family.
He was one of the most easy going guys you will ever meet. Always willing to help a guy out and never expected anything in return. One of the most generous and honorable men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Those of you who have ever had the pleasure of sharing a boat/knowing him I know would echo my thoughts.
His wife Terese, son Cory, and daughter Margo also want to thank you for all the kind words, support, and prayers right now.
I would also like to thank Dannyboy, Jeremy Vanert, Joe Junion, and Roger Watters and all the others who were there with him helping. He was close friends with all us, and it has hit us all pretty hard. Rick died doing what he loved surroundded by good friends. With a big fish in the net. We should all be that lucky.
Funeral details havent been finalized as of yet but I will have someone post the specifics. As of right now the wake will be this Thursday at 3pm with the funeral to follow.
And an extra special thanks to Jeremy and Danny, what hasnt been said yet was that they did save a life yesterday, unfortunatly it wasnt Ricks, but mine. |
|
| |
|
| im trying to calm down and get through the day.
i know many want to know what happened.
basically i spent the day fishing with rick and getting to know him. he was a great person. he was trying his hardest to show me how to troll. where to troll proper set up etc... because i have little or no experience living where i do and trolling. most all lakes in my area it is not open for trolling.
at 2:00 ish we got a call that muskies were in a certain area. we pulled up, moved and set up.
we caught one right away. we then lost a few and watched other boats catching them. we both agreed our time would come. then while i was driving the board went down hard and rick grabbed the rod. we both knew it was a dandy and after a few runs i nettted it and asked for tools. he said he wanted to release it and since it was his boat, i agreed.
he then grabbed pliers and started unhooking. i grabbed the camera. his was dead so i grabbed mine. he was excited and so was i. he then asked for measuring stick and as i reached under his seat and then looked up, he just did a slump and slid slid into net.
im struggling now to finish writing everythings a blurr.
but, i grabbed net and he rolled up as i grabbed his shoulder and pulled hos arm and shirt. i got his head up and started calling for help. i couldnt pull him in.
i started calling louder and shane and jeremy came in. shane jumped in to assist and we couldnt lift him. jeremy came by me and we somehow got his belt and i got both hands under his arm and pulled. we got him in . jeremy started cpr and we took off for the launch.
roger,joe and others had called 911 and i hauled it to the launch.
i knew he was gone for a while.
i am so sorry. im hurting inside.
i dont know what else to say.
but im happy and thankful i got to fish with him.
please cherish your life , family, friends and everything you do.......
danny |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | danny ... nothing to say but i'm sure his family was glad you were there with him ... such a sad story ... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 188
Location: Madison, WI | "This just doesn't seem right" sums it up for me. I didn't know Rick real well but in the dozen or so times I've talked to him I'd developed a very high regard for him. A true gentleman - he will be missed.
Craig Eversoll |
|
| |
|
Posts: 91
Location: Wausau | I was lucky to meet Rick this past August at the Alliance Tourney in Eagle River. They say first impresions mean everything, mine of Rick's was a great one. As other have said he was a nice guy, easy to talk with and had some great stories. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and close friends, the first and last cast on Sunday will be for him.
|
|
| |
|
| I am numb. I worked with Rick in the Information Services Department at the Shopko general office. I also fished with him on the Fox and at his stomping grounds at High Falls. We at Shopko are shocked and saddened. Most everyone here at work knew Rick. He had a way of remembering everyones name and would make sure to greet each person by name. I always thought that he should have been a salesman instead of messing around on computers. I will miss Rick terribly. We constantly talked musky during our free moments at work. Maybe a little more than we should have. I joined Titletown Musky Inc this past year because of him. I will miss not seeing him at work. I will miss riding with him to the Titletown meetings. I will miss his excitment when we talked musky. I will miss the phone calls to take a smoke break. I will miss not being able to hear him tell me the story.
My condolences to Therese, Margo, and Corey. He spoke often of you. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2068
Location: Appleton,WI | I also saw rick that day as we passed on the river a few times.I didnt know him that well but rick was a stand up guy!Shane had called me as I was on my way home when this happened!I hope all is well for family and friends!Its good to know that people on the river will go out on a limb to help someone in need!!Thanks to roger,joe shane and jermy that help out! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 686
Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin | OMG, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you, Dave |
|
| |
|
Posts: 9
Location: Green Bay | Rick was not just a good fisherman but a good person. One who always stopped to talk and help others out. I can't believe i'm not going to see him in his tracker anymore. I feel blessed to have fished with him a few times and remember all of his tips.
To the guys that were out with him: god bless each of you. You all did what you could and probably more than you thought you could. I hope i have friends like that when i'm in need.
Prayers and thoughts go to his family and everyone who knew Rick-he will be missed.
Kevin Gille |
|
| |
|
Posts: 332
Location: Neenah, WI | I am in shock. I became friends with Rick a short time ago, We met at the C+R Musky club in Dale, WI. where we were both members, In the last couple months Rick and I were trying to hook up for a day of fishing but there was always something that conflicted. I will never have the opportunity to this and it saddens me deeply. Rick was truly a gentlemen and always was willing to shoot the breeze about anything. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and everybody that knew Rick>
I hope and pray that there is lake up in heaven that is full of lunker Muskies that Rick can cast all day on. I will see on the water again my friend.
SAINT 1 |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2112
Location: The Sportsman, home, or out on the water | My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Rick was always good to me.
Now, Rick, if there is internet service up in heaven, please do not educate all of the muskies up there before we get there. Save some for us.
When I go, I hope it is doing something I love. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1
| Greetings everyone, my name is Corey... I am Rick's son. I appreciate everything you all have done for him. I have not realized how many people he had reached out and touched in this sport. I appreciate and thank Shane, Dan, Jeremy, Joe, and Roger and everyone for trying to save his life. I also would like to thank all of you for being part of his life and bringing much joy.
Sincerely,
Corey Meverden
*Rick can now rest easy knowing everyday he'll be out fishing for the big musky!
Edited by Ricksboy 10/22/2007 6:40 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 80
Location: Clintonville, Wi | My thoughts and prayers go out to Rick's family, I can't imagine what they are going thru right now.
I've bumped into Rick alot these last few month's. It's been a pleasure to meet such a wonderful person. He was always so laid back. It's a shame the way it had to end. I'm still in total shock over the whole thing.
I wish there was something else I could do. Thanks to all those who helped. It's good to know there is people out there who will help a friend in need.
danny, im sorry we had to meet on such bad terms. hopefully next time it will be a better situation. Hang in there bud.
|
|
| |
|
| I think this is one of the best ways to go but is never easy. I would like to think he was so involved in getting people educated in fishing and especially fishing the bay. Well he gave it his all to this fishery, now I would think they should make the tournament a memorial one for him next year. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 170
| My God...I hardly know anyone on this board (personally), nor the gentleman who passed away or the guys who obviously did whatever was possible in such a time of pain and confusion. My hats off to everyone involved and prayers to each and everyone...especially to Rick and his family.
My condolences!!!!
Edited by JimLang 10/22/2007 8:30 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 578
Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI | I heard about this unfortunate and sad news today while musky fishing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Rick, his family and all the gentlemen that helped.
May the Good Lord watch over and care for each and every one of them during these difficult times.
Chuck
|
|
| |
