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09-26-2011, 07:17 PM
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#1
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Beavercreek Or.
Posts: 2,444
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Sad Day at RB Boats
Today after returning home from my Elk Hunt, I learned that Fred Braun, Founder of RB Boats, My Teacher, My Friend. Passed away last week from his battle with cancer.
Fred was a Quiet, gentle Man. and though Not as Famous or publicly known as other Boating " legends" He made his mark with everyone he met.
He taught Me most every thing I know about crafting the Finest hand made custom built aluminum boats.
what He didn't teach me I learned on my own, but only because of the skills he taught me to use. He instilled in me the drive for Perfection, the give 110% or give nothing attitude.
He taught me that a custom built boat, Made one at a time for each and every customer is the right way .
He was the first Boat builder who decided that every boat he built would get "Show Boat Quality". He understood what a Grinder, sander, and file were for.. He stood by his Motto. "A Cut Above the Rest". I still stand by His Motto. This has been My passion for going on 25 years Now. and God willing for another 25..
Fred you will be Missed. God speed on your journey ......... Jim Mickel
__________________
 Official Ifish sponser. www.rbboats.com Making the world better one Custom Boat at a time
member of CCA ,northweststeelheaders & the NRA
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09-26-2011, 07:22 PM
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#2
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Chromer
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 669
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Sorry Jim for the loss of your friend and mentor. We should all be so lucky to have one. The time we invest in others is the best time we can spend.
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09-26-2011, 07:52 PM
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#3
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Brookings, OR/Gustavus, AK
Posts: 1,945
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Jim, so sorry for your loss.
__________________
Andy Martin
ifish.net guide and Alaska charter www.wildriversfishing.com
wildriversfishing@yahoo.com (206) 388-8988 or (541) 813-1082
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Team Pautzke, Wright & McGill Pro Staff, Penn, Eagle Claw Pro Staff, Worden's/Yakima Bait
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09-26-2011, 10:41 PM
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#4
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Steelhead
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: West Linn, OR
Posts: 260
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
So sorry. So sad when friends and mentors leave us.
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09-27-2011, 05:52 AM
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#5
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Sturgeon
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 4,503
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Jim
So sorry to hear of your loss BUT...he continues on by selecting one fine young man to carry on his work ethics, principles and standards. His legacy lives on.
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09-27-2011, 07:21 AM
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#6
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Steelhead
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 113
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Sorry for your loss, he will be missed.
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09-27-2011, 08:33 AM
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#7
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Ifish Nate
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Clackamas
Posts: 2,700
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Sorry for your loss Jim.
I only know Fred through you and your values and ethics.
He must have been a great guy.
My condolences to you and your family.
Tight Lines to Fred!
__________________
Without water- Fishing would just be hunting!!
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09-27-2011, 11:24 AM
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#9
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Sturgeon
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ...the good side of the river...
Posts: 3,787
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Sorry for your loss - sounds like he will live on through you - fish on!!!
Sarge
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09-27-2011, 11:27 AM
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#10
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Steelhead
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 255
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Incredibly sorry for your loss.
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09-27-2011, 11:37 AM
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#11
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King Salmon
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 10,107
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
He was a fine craftsman. So sorry he is gone.
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Jack
Please join CCA. It took 140 years to make this mess. Together we will turn it around. Please join us.
Tillamook Anglers!!! Good people doing great things! 
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09-27-2011, 05:39 PM
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#12
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Vancouver, Wa
Posts: 5,137
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Sorry to hear about your loss Jim. From your description guys like him are a treasure to know.
Mike
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09-27-2011, 09:09 PM
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#13
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: portland
Posts: 9,661
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
jim, I am sorry you lost a good friend and mentor. sounds like you were blessed to have known him well.
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09-28-2011, 08:09 AM
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#14
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Steelhead
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 189
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Sorry to hear of your loss Jim. I'm sure you will carry on the way he wanted things done.
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09-28-2011, 10:01 AM
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#15
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Tuna!
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Damascus/Carver
Posts: 1,612
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
RIP  May the winds gently blow at your back, may the skies be the prettiest shades of blue, may your lines always be tight, may the waters always be full of fish, and the only wakes you see, is the one behind your boat at full throttle!
__________________
Just one more cast!
Team SLAYER!
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09-28-2011, 05:05 PM
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#16
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Sturgeon
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: West Linn
Posts: 3,533
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Very Beautifully Expressed. "May his memory be for a blessing"
__________________
What's so funny about peace, love, and understanding?
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09-28-2011, 07:25 PM
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#17
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King Salmon
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 5,052
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Jim, I'm sorry you lost such a great friend and mentor. My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Rick
__________________
Original I-Fish Member #183
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09-29-2011, 05:51 PM
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#18
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Beavercreek Or.
Posts: 2,444
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Thanks Everyone for your kind words and prayers. Fred was a Great Teacher and I always enjoyed working for him and with him, He was always willing to Let me try my own Ideas, some worked, some did Not. but it was those kind of teaching moments that Made Me the Perfectionist I have become.
He was a Stickler for Quality. He would only use Stainless hardware when the other boat guys from "A" to "W" were still using mild steel, He used 5/16" when everyone else used 1/4" seat studs. He believed that just because some thing was "easier to do" did not make it a Better way.
He was the First to use a 3 hole UHMW block for Oarlock blocks, when everyone else had a 1 hole aluminum block with a plastic sleeve.
He thought an Unpainted Boat was Hidious, and included an outside paint job on every boat. I still include one color outside on every boat, but now its Vinyl instead of paint.
Fred built his first boat at the age of 16 in 1957. it was a wooden 8' pram
later on in his 20's he bought a 16' woodie hindman and took it apart and made patterns, and he would build a New boat every year or two and sell the old one. Just so he never had to re-finish a boat. in the early 60's and 70's He was a sheet metal Journyman.. and in 1981 he took his boat building Love to the next level and made his first Aluminum Drift Boat.. in 83 after being laid off due to the housing recession. He started a little ole boat company known as RB Boats.
I started working for Him in febuary of 87 and Knew then it would be my lifes work. and now its almost 25 years later.
and true to his German Heritage Fred Loved Beer
I bet there are many on here who have Shared a Henry's winehards on Tap with Fred at his "Bar" upstairs from the Shop in Marcola where we started out.
Many Boat sales were written up after a glass or 4 or 5. The more Fred drank the Better the deal the customer got. the More the customer drank the better deal Fred would get
I often wonder if I should install my own keg on Tap. I might sell more boats that way  any ways here's to Fred Bottoms Up
__________________
Official Ifish sponser. www.rbboats.com Making the world better one Custom Boat at a time
member of CCA ,northweststeelheaders & the NRA
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09-29-2011, 05:56 PM
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#19
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Steelhead
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: La Center WA
Posts: 314
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
to Fred
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09-29-2011, 08:51 PM
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#20
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Sturgeon
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ...the good side of the river...
Posts: 3,787
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
I'd say he'd be dam proud to hear you tell the story & hear the passion in your profession...you're making me want to build 'em
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09-29-2011, 09:29 PM
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#21
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Steelhead
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Portland
Posts: 181
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
R.I.P. You will be missed by us all
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09-30-2011, 09:52 AM
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#22
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Tuna! AKA Papermaker
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: West Linn/Willamette
Posts: 2,608
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Nice tribute
__________________
Overdose of prescription medicines causes more deaths in the USA
than all vehicle accidents!!
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10-01-2011, 01:25 PM
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#23
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Steelhead
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 179
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Fred............May your bow rise to meet every wave, may the wind be ever at your stern. May the sun shine warmly upon your face and the rain fall softly on your seas. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.
Last edited by AlphaBoat; 10-01-2011 at 01:26 PM.
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10-01-2011, 09:36 PM
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#24
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AdminiMom
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: North Coast
Posts: 97,973
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
I'm so sorry for your loss, Jim. Carry on...
__________________
The goal in Life's Journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "whooo hoooo (!) what a ride!"
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10-02-2011, 07:27 PM
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#25
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Roseburg
Posts: 174
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
From a fellow boat builder and friend...so sorry to hear you lost your teacher and friend. He'll have much more to show you someday...
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10-03-2011, 11:43 AM
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#26
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Beavercreek Or.
Posts: 2,444
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Re: Sad Day at RB Boats
Quote:
Originally Posted by sidedrifter1
From a fellow boat builder and friend...so sorry to hear you lost your teacher and friend. He'll have much more to show you someday...
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Thank you Larry
__________________
Official Ifish sponser. www.rbboats.com Making the world better one Custom Boat at a time
member of CCA ,northweststeelheaders & the NRA
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