FREE WILLIE TACKLE SHOP OWNER - DEAD AT 47

[Diehard]

What a shame. Dave was always pleasant to talk to and helpful with info on the estuary.
He will be missed. Patty and his family will be in our prayers.

[Rusty]

I was in Free Willy's talking to Patty while the Paramedics were apparently working on Dave. Patty mentioned to me that Dave and some friends went to Seaside to launch their Zodiaks in the surf. She thought it was a bad idea, but said, "Oh Well, you can't tell men anything." I smiled, had to agree inwardly, and left to challenge the CR Bar. When I returned, I heard the news and was devasted. No PFD + high surf= Disaster.

My heart felt condolences go to Patty and her Family.

RUSTY

[bullhead]

Angle,

You were just telling me about this fellow that same day. What a tragedy. Did you ever hear what exactly happened? If they launched from the beach they could have had trouble in the surf ? Wow, no matter how it happened it's very sad news!!

My heart and condolences go out to his family.

[steelheadslayer]

Angle, The few times I've been in to the bait shop, Dave and Patty were both extremely nice and helpful on techniques and areas to fish in the estuary. People like them are a credit to the outdoors. Now, we have one less pereson like Dave to be an ambassador for the rest of us fishers. My prayers and condolences to Patty and her family.

[AngleThis]

Yesterday, while fishing for salmon on a Zodiac, Dave Rogers, co-owner of the Free Willie Tackle and Marine Repair Shop in Hammond, perished in the waters off of Gearheart. Apparently the zodiac capsized somehow, and he did not survive.
I was out yesterday too out of Geribaldi and the ocean was CALM. There was no wind and swells were low. I can only wonder if perhaps the extreme minus tide was a factor. This man was in good shape, clean and sober, definitely knew the water, had the world by the tail with a thriving business, and a loving wife Patty. He had lent me crab traps in the past, allowed me to lock up my boat in his yard, and gave me the inside scoop on hot spots in the estuary. He was a good guy and will be missed. I wish I would have been in range and could have responded to the emergency.

[ 07-25-2002, 12:10 PM: Message edited by: ********* ]

[Tacklebuster]

He will be missed. I looked to his advise many a times for honest fishing reports in the estuary and he was always on the money. The whole thing is hard for me to swallow. He was a veteran to those waters. When hitting these waters, PLEASE have you PFD on when crossing the surf or the bar. I will admit that mine usually comes off after I reach my fishing destination and the conditions are good but I always wear it on my trips back and forth over the bar. Let's all live to fish another seaon....

Chris

[AngleThis]

Because a good friend of mine grew up in the same small town and Dave & Patty, I am privy to some addition information regarding this tragedy...

Dave and three other anglers were attempting a surf launch with two zodiacs. One zodiac made it through the surf, Dave's was flipped. The craft that made it moved in to assist the two guys in the water. Both were alive and concious. Dave was holding onto the flipped zodiac, the other guy was holding on to a floating fuel tank. Dave told the other boat to go and get the guy holding the fuel tank as he was OK. They retrieved the guy, took him to shore, and then returned to the water to get Dave. He was floating face down when they did, and the parametics were unable to revive him.

Perhaps dave was injured and did not realize it, or perhaps he had a coronary, or perhaps hypothermia got him. In any case, he was concious after the flip, and telling the other boat to get the other guy first, a very selfless act, cost him his life. That is worth noteing, as to at least some extent, he died a hero.

[ 07-27-2002, 06:40 AM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[Empire]

I also vote for everyone to take the CPR classes. They also will teach you some first aid and the Heimlich (sp?) maneuver. Last year, I found my 1 year old son choking on something. I did not see anything in his mouth so I flipped him onto his stomach in one hand, gave him a few back smacks with my free palm, looked in his mouth again and found some fake moss from a plant (everything went in slow motion, just like they said it would). He cried for a few minutes, then went back to work on some toys. What more does it take to get folks into the classes?

[ 07-26-2002, 02:26 PM: Message edited by: Empire ]

[fishisabonus]

Patty is one of my best friends in the world... I have known Dave most of my life. We can all beat ourselves up with "only if's".
If anyone is interested, is funeral will be Saturday, July 27th, at 9am at Seaside Christian Church in Warrenton, OR.

[ 07-27-2002, 06:48 AM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[King Fisher]

Where can you go to learn CPR?