Charles Theodore Buck passed away last Friday, Feb. 6. He was a marvelous man. We became friends after I began writing stories and columns about the Great Outdoors 30 years ago.

The story was related to Chuck about the Buck Model 102, Woodsman, I carried as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. The pilot who was replacing me begged me to sell him the knife, because he didn't have one. I gave it to him. The fear of him needing it in a life-threatening situation and not having a knife on his belt, which could save his life, would have bothered me for the rest of my life.

Chuck sent me a new Woodsman, suitably engraved as a memento of my year in Vietnam and because of the goodwill of giving the Buck away.

We first met fact-to-face at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas. We were able to meet and visit on an annual basis until the Buck factory was moved from California to Post Falls, Idaho. Then a trip to Spokane would have my wife, Garnet, and I driving to Post Falls for a visit with Chuck, which most likely included lunch, so we could visit without interfering with his work schedule.

The Hut Crew was formed about 12 years ago. Lani Schorzman is Hut 1; Jerry Lester, Hut 2; Thomas Steffens, Hut 3; Chuck Buck, Hut 4; Ted Nugent, Hut 5; I'm Hut 6, also known as The Hut Commander, and Rudy Lopez is Hut 7.

Not always were we able to get together at the same time and place, but there was hunting and visiting and fishing and meals. The friendship, companionship and overall camaraderie was and continues to be top notch.

The first year The Hut Crew was formed we decided the only proper Christmas gift for each other was a Buck Knife. Every December or January we each receive six Buck Knives, etched as Dennis, Christmas 2009, Lani, H-1 or Dennis, Christmas 2009, Ted, H-5.

We actually gave Chuck a Buck Knife the first year and then decided such a move just wasn't proper. We researched the matter and found out Chuck's hobby was landscaping. A gift card from a local home improvement store for $300 was presented to Chuck for Christmas each year.

Chuck made three overnight trips to Moses Lake to sign knives at Tri-State Outfitters. Knife owners would buy new Bucks or bring ones they had for decades for Chuck to sign with an engraving tool.

These trips provided an opportunity for The Hut Crew to visit with Chuck over meals and to introduce him to other Moses Lake friends.

One dark and rainy night, a group of us gathered at the home of Kris and Bob Chudomelka. We visited over the evening meal. Then I took Chuck on a fishing excursion, about 50 yards from the Chudomelka house.

The rain increased, but Chuck stuck with the fishing and brought in a 28-inch walleye. A photo of the catch, along with the lure, was framed in a show box and presented to him on our next visit.

Hut Crew messages about the passing of Chuck filled our inboxes, including: From Lani Schorzman, H-1: Hello Crew, Sorry to hear

about the departure of Chuck, I really enjoyed our meetings together with him. He was truly an icon in his devout relationship with his family, his business and God. He will surely be missed.

From Jerry Lester, H-2: Chuck was a one of a kind. I'll forever cherish my memories of the great man. I can just imagine him now, building 110's for heaven's hunters. I hope I can join Chuck for that great big elk hunt in the sky. I'll miss you Chuck.

From Thomas Steffens, H-3: Oh my, terrible news. He was a great man and true American patriot.

From Ted Nugent, H-5: On behalf of the Nugent family, our Hut Crew members and legions of American sporting families, it is my honor and privilege to say thank you and so long to our Spirit BloodBrother Chuck Buck.

This great man's vision and American Dream, his Herculean work ethic and his take no prisoners entrepreneurial attitude brought much quality of life to our beloved outdoor lifestyle, and for that we say Godbless you my friend.

I still have my original Buck belt knife from 1968, and like Chuck himself, it will always be at my side in my pursuit of rugged individualism happiness. Chuck will be with us on every outing, at every campfire, and at the foot of the sacred beasts that bring us backstraps and ultimate Spirit medicine.

As I plunge my Buck knife into the belly of the beast, I feel a gentle old man smiling down upon me, because in the wind, he's still alive.

Godspeed my BloodBrother. You go, we stay, but we will join you in the Big Hunt before too long. Thank you my friend. American BloodBrothers forever, Ted Nugent & family.

From Rudy Lopez, H-7: I'm sorry to hear this. He was a true patriot and supporter of our armed forces. He'll be missed.

My feelings, as H-6 and the Hut Commander, mimic those above. The loss of a friend is always a sad affair. However, the positive memory of the many times with Chuck dampens the hurt a little bit.