Vern Struble: April 4, 1920 - Sep 28, 2012

[LKH]

“Last night a long-term PBSer, and Oregon bowhunting legend, Vern Struble passed away. He was a mentor to many of us in PBS, and he brought the joy of shooting the bow to literally thousands of young people through his teaching in 4H archery for close to half a century. He will really be missed by many in this state, in our organization, and by anybody who got to know Vern...he was one "class act" and truly represented the heart and soul of PBS and bowhunting "done right." More information will follow on a memorial service for Vern."

Vern served many times in every office of the Benton Bowmen of Corvallis.  It was part of his continued giving to archery.  His induction into the 4H Hall of Fame recognized this generous spirit.

[Moon]

Sorry to hear that.  There was a great article about him in Traditional Bowhunter Magazine a few years back that I really enjoyed reading.

[Earl Jeff]

GODs speed

[jcar315]

My deepest condolences. Prayers sent to all touched by Vern's life.

Althought I never met Vern as soon as I saw the name I recognized the man. In Jay Massey's book "A Thousand Campfires" there is a wonderful story with a picture of Vern.

The picture on page 26 flashed across my minds eye and just got done re-reading that story for the ummteenth time.

Just a few pargraphs from the book....

"One image of Vern cropped up whenever I thought of him. In it, he was standing in a sunny glade, shooting at a haybale target sisty-five yards down the hill. Another archer had just purchased a new, jet-black recurved bow and wanted Vern's opinion of it.

After snapping one of his own arrows on the string of the unfamiliar bow, Vern had smoothly drawn the sixty-five pound weapon and settled into his anchor point, middle finger of his drawing hand at the corner of his mouth. He held absolutely steady for two, three seconds and then the bow limbs sprang forward with a blur. An instand later there was a loud WHAP! as Vern's arrow hit the paper target in the middle of the five-ring."

Later in the same story: "Then something happened, one of those things that leaves an impression on you forever.

The bull crashed through the willow thicket, heading upriver. Then for no obvious reason, he stopped in the middle of a small opening in the thicket, directly opposite Vern.

I glanced across the river at Vern. He was standing coolly , at least sixty yards away from the bull, holding his bow at full draw, rock steady, waiting. The image of him shooting on thh downhill target flashed through my mind.

Then there was the snap of the bowstring and the point of light that was Vern's arrow flashed across the river and hit the bull with the sound of ripping canvas. The bull spun sideways and crashed off into the forest. A few seconds later there was a great thrashing and then silence......We followed the blood trail and found the bull dead one hundred yards inside the forest. He was a fine moose, a fifty-five incher....Then we found the wide four blade slice where Vern's arrow had cut through both lungs and exited through a rib on the opposite side. It had been a dead center lung shot, as close to a classic bowshot as I'd ever seen."

Well done Vern indeed!!

[Dirtybird]

Vern will be missed as one of the greats that helped promote our love for traditional archery.  My condolences to the family.

[Mark Baker]

I've met and talked with Vern on a few occasions over the past many years....a class act and role model for many of us.   He will be missed.  Godspeed, Vern.

[cacciatore]

He will be greatly missed,this is a big loss for the sport and for PBS.
Prayers sent from Italy,God Bless the family and the close friends.

[Missouri Bowman]

Sad to hear that. My condolences.

[Ron LaClair]

I first met Vern many years ago, he was a man for the times. I'm sure Jay Massey is there to greet him

   

[dnovo]

Never had the pleasure of meeting Vern, but felt I knew him through all the stories. He was a man to admire and someone who would be worth following in his footsteps.
Godspeed.

[Canyon]

I agree with Ron... I am sure
Vern and Jay already have a hunt planned in heavens wilderness! GodSpeed Vern.

[Stickbow]

Sad news indeed.

I was fortunate enough to set around a campfire once with Vern and hear a few stories.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

 
Prayers for his family.

[md126]

prayers for his family and friends

[Walt Francis]

I had the pleasure of shooting a couple of North American Longbow Safari's with Vern; He was a "Class Act".  At the PBS Convention in San Antonio  Kent Brown and I took a stroll down to the museum, had dinner, and then viewed the exhibits with him and Tim Miggs.  It was an evening  I will always treasure.

Vern, go in peace, hopefully we will share another campfire on the other side.

[JamesKerr]

Rest in peace Vern.

[Leland]

My condolences to his family.
Leland

[Al Dente]

May God rest his soul.  Godspeed towards Heaven.

[joe ashton]

God bless.

[Kid's Pastor]

I had the privilege of meeting Vern back in the late 80's. I had never touched a traditional bow and had bought a used Brackenbury recurve.

I gave Vern a call on the advice from the local bow shop and to make a long story short, he gave me directions to the bow range outside Corvallis, OR. On the rainy October day Vern introduced me to the wonderful world of traditional archery. I also was blessed to have taken the  bowhunter safety course with Vern and Stan Miles as the instructors. It was through this course that I was able to hook some of my other friends with the traditional bug.

Vern was always willing to answer questions and help us in anyway that he could; he will be greatly missed.
My prayers go out to his family and friends.

God bless,
Paul