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Man oh man am I sorry to hear this. I have some great stories about John. I'll relate them later. Thanks for the info, Tim.
Posts: 123 | From: Hot Springs, SD | Registered: Dec 2008
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I had the pleasure Of spending some time with John last summer on the phone. we talked for over an hour about hunting. He sent me one of his arrows to hunt with. I will say a prayer for his family. John is now in a better place
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I never got the chance to meet him but I heard a lot of great things about him. God bless.
Posts: 2329 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jun 2003
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I just got back from johns house. And his wife Barbra is doing well, and I know she appreciates all the kind things people are saying about john
Posts: 287 | From: ohio | Registered: Oct 2004
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It was an honor to meet John and listen to his stories when he visited at the booth I was helping at at Denton Hill. He is a true inspiration and embodies the traditional archery spirit. Prayers for God's blessing to John and his family.
Posts: 33 | From: PA | Registered: Jul 2006
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I had the pleasure Of spending some time with John last summer on the phone. we talked for over an hour about hunting. He sent me one of his arrows to hunt with. I will say a prayer for his family. John is now in a better place
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Spoke at our Wisconsin Traditional Archers Banquet a few years ago and left us all laughing. Another good one heads upstairs.
Posts: 956 | From: Cambridge, Wisconsin | Registered: Jan 2007
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I just read this and am extremely saddened by this news. A lot of folks have no idea what an inspiration this man was to bowhunters everywhere. Back in May of 1998 John was chosen as the recipient of Safari Club International's Special Hunter of the Year Award. It was a very big deal allowing him to be honored in Reno, NV that spring. He got to meet General Schwarzkopf, then U.S. V.P Dan Quayle, General John Yeager, as well as his favorite.. Bo Derek. He was also awarded a world class bowhunt in Australia guided by Mick McCormick. John's good friend Lenny Rock went along as John's eyes/sighter. There was a full color featured article about the hunt in the July/Aug. 1998 issue of Safari Magazine, written by Bob Markworth. Frankly, I don't think they expected any success guiding a completely blind bowhunter shooting a longbow. John and Lenny showed them.. and did us proud. John came home with four beautiful animals including two Red Stags, a Sambar bull and a Rusa Deer. I believe a couple of the animals were not only big but world class or world record animals at the time. John's wife Barb kept me updated with hand written letters of thanks (I was the one who nominated him for the honor). On John's return he made be a cassette tape of his entire hunt, blow by blow, newspaper clippings, photos, etc. Before John lost his sight he was the Ohio Barebow Champion '60-'63, I believe. He began having eye problems in '67. Had his left removed in '69. Was legally blind in '79 and totally blind in '81. When I was compiling data for his nomination in '97 he had already taken over 30 big game animals with his bow including 9 whitewtails; 5 bear; antelope; mule deer; mountain lion, etc. this was all after he was totally blind mind you. John freely gave demonstrations to handicapped children teaching them, as he said "what they can do... not what they can't do." As previously stated, John Rook was not only exceptional but phenomenal. He was the "true spirit of archery and bowhunting". My prayers for his friends and family. In great respect,Barry Wensel
Posts: 908 | From: Keosauqua, Iowa | Registered: Jul 2003
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-------------------- Ask me about the Professional Bowhunters Society- The P.B.S. encourages the development of skill in bowhunting as well as the exchange of knowledge and ideas between bowhunters. Posts: 406 | From: South Florida | Registered: May 2003
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