Unfortunately friends we lost Bowdoc an archery Master Craftsman, hunter, and friend.! Thoughts go out too the family...he will Truely be missed...RIP..!

RIP Bowdoc, You'll be missed.

RIP Doc

Ugh - RIP Bowdoc

Rip

That is a big loss. I never met or talked with him but always learned from his comments. RIP.

DAMN! AND OTHER BAD WORDS! Really HATE to hear it! Rest In Peace, Bowdoc.

My prayers go out to this fine gentleman's family. RIP Bowdoc

RIP, sorry to hear of this; never a way to express the loss in words.

What are you serious???????????? Don was just on here a couple weeks ago and said to me was I making it up to QB this spring . I said hoped to if I can stay healthy enough.

Darn Don sorry to here this it blows me away. Anymore it seems us old fellers are leaving steadily.

Lord watch over family and close friends and and give them courage and soften the sting of their loss of Don. We pray and hope all things in the name of Jesus.

Amen

Wow this is hard to imagine right now.

Bowdoc will be missed. Years ago he refinished a 71 Super K for me. He was a pleasure to work with and a craftsman.

God Bless you BD.

Bill

Sad news for sure...rest easy

Sorry to hear , my prayers go out to his family and close friends

Prayers go out to his family. He refinished a few bows for my brother. Always top notch work. RIP

Never got a chance to meet him but, I feel like I just lost a good friend. Prayers for his soul and his family.

Wow I just found out a few minutes ago....so sad. Known Donnie for over 35 years. What a sad, sad day. Fun, warm, and totally salt of the earth. I will miss you big time my friend! See you someday. I am blown away

Wow! Sad news! Another legend lost!

Prayers for his family and friends for sure..A true master bow re finisher and wasn't afraid to share his secrets on how he did things. In Jesus name I pray for all that were close and friends to Don.

Very sad news! Prayers for his family!!

Looked over on gang and didn't see any mention of it yet? Any details. I still am in shock like you Rich. I sent Tom Phillips a message and he didn't get back to me yet.

Wow hope we all me on the other side of the river.

meet

Sad news. Prayers sent.

Sad news to hear. I never had the pleasure of having him work on any of my bows.

The only details I have was I read it on my Facebook page...I will find out more as we go, just wanted to share what I learned here with all his dear friends...I hope I haven't stepped out of bounds.?..I was as shock as everyone..

Two members of the club I belong to have bows refinished by Bowdoc. Needless to say his refinish was better than the original. The quality of his work set the standard I try to go for when I refinish bows. I'm not even close.

Man that sucks.......met him in Quebec on a bear hunt, rough around the edges but a true bowhunter and a heck of a Historian. I really liked to hear his stories about years gone by. I am sad........

Just checked, it was posted on one of my traditional archery sites,,,. The only news I have is he lost his beloved wonderful wife Linda six months ago or so, and now he's with her.....such a wonderful man, I just know there together in heaven....I'm going on a bear hunt this afternoon , doc will be with me in heart....will be thinking of him and his family..

RIP Bowdoc.

Sad news.

My condolences.

RIP bowdoc, I was at bear camp in Quebec in June with him. He kept us laughing the whole week. I'm glad that I had the pleasure to meet him!!!

Rick

RIP bowdoc :-( JF

So sorry to hear that news.

RIP Doc, My prayers go out to your family. You will be missed:(...Al

circa 1992

He seemed like a genuine straight shooter. Not enough of those around anymore. RIP

Wow.Has it been confirmed? I hate the thought of him passing away feeling like some of his stuff had been used without his permission.RC I doubt "the gang" is going to have much to say about Bowdoc.

A true icon.Sad news.

It was so nice to see him posting again this summer; I had hopes that he might be with us for a few more years. I certainly learned a lot from him, and really enjoyed all that personality that came shining through in everything he posted. One of a kind, for sure.

Very sad news. He's been such a great help to folks and did such beautiful work. RIP sir

RIP he will be missed

Picture from bear camp

Not sure why pics are coming out sideways

X2 What Jimreed said, I never got the chance to meet him, but I feel like I have just lost a good friend. Prayers for his soul and his family. Rest in Peace Don.

So very sad to read this. Quite a bit of his great work rests in my bow racks. May he rest as well.

Damn shame ...he was a real good guy

Maybe not Mike but I texted Tom Phillips and asked him what happened? Dons daughter found him in house dead and called Tom to let him know. This is rough I hope if it was HT it was quick and no suffering.

Better than factory refinish welp like x 100 times. factory finishes usually suck I would say.

Usually we all have our quirks. Can you be a trad archer and not be a little weird? LOL

Maybe God wants him to refinish some of his bows now Don gets to refinish the golden bow maybe? Just think who he is going to be a around and be with his wife now. No more pain or sorrow either. TY Lord for hearing our prayers and thoughts.

QB palace looks like.

Thanks

Rest in peace Donnie. You will surely be missed.

Well I guess it's confirmed.A sad day for the trad community.

Rip

Thank You Doc for sharing your knowledge and expertise with so many of us.

RIP Doc!!!!!

He recently commented on one of my posts liking big feathers. I have 2 bows that he put his magic to. 56 kodiac and a 71 sk. I am very honored with that much. Sad but happy he will be with his wife. Rooty

The beautiful work he did is a rare legacyIt's not that easy to build a good reputation let alone an outstanding one.Another sad loss to our community.

Very sad news.

Bow Doc was one of a kind. A very interesting and colorful character.

I always enjoyed reading his posts here on the Leatherwall (and on Trad Gang before they locked him out).

My condolences to his family and loved ones.

Denton Hills 2002 David Harby - Al Reader - Joe Naske - Chris (Forget last name) and Bowdoc Trad Gang was never the same without Don. X's 2 Trap

RIP Don

A sad day indeed, but even those of us who didn't know him personally can celebrate the legacy he left through his work. RIP.

Joe

Prayers for the family and friends

Rest In Peace my friend. You will be missed more than you'll ever know.

LD

Never met him, but saw him on the bear quest DVD by Bill Langer.seemed like a very likeable guy. Lloyd

Truly sad news of someone who will be missed in numerous ways. Never met him in person but have a 69 SK he refinished. Felt it was a keeper before but now more so.

My sincere condolences to his family and friends. A man's measure is how he's touched the lives of others. He will be remembered.

Prayers for his family. Everyone is familiar with the handle "Bowdoc".

I think he used The Little Delta bow on a bear hunt in Canada?

Wow...

I looked at the thread title and hoped it wasn't this very thing.

Man, what a bummer. RIP

RIP DON an thank you for your beautiful work .

So creative and generous with his work! He's been one of my bow refinishing gurus. He'll be missed by many including me. May his family and all of us find some peace and may Don rest in peace.

Don was a fun guy to be around. Could tell stories non-stop and you'd be entertained by all of them. I liked him from the first time I met him. RIP my friend.

So sorry to hear the sad news. Don will truly be missed. He was a master at bringing a bow back to life. His "Restoration 101" is a masterpiece. RIP, Don.

_/\_

I got the call from Tom Phillipse this afternoon. Sad news. He will be missed. A lot of archery history went with him. I wrote his name on a cedar arrow and shit in in the air with my '73 Grizzly. RIP Bowdoc

Dang. Rest in Heaven

Dang Hookedspur that's a dedication.I bet Bowdocs lol somewhere.

4nolz, BD was a good buddy. Not many people can make me belly laugh. Bowdoc could. If it weren't for him, I probably would not have married my wife.

Yep 4nolz, with Bowdoc's sense of humor, I'm sure he would have gotten a kick out of that typo. :^)

It's funny how changing just one letter in a word can paint a whole different picture in the mind.

He was a true icon.

Ha!! I just caught that!! Ole Bowdoc is laughing at me!!

RIP Bowdoc. I learned a lot about bow restoration from him on various threads.

I got a huge laugh from your typo Hookedspur...still laughing. Happy accident to lighten the mood a little.

I know he will be missed by many, I only knew Doc from here but always enjoyed reading his posts and seeing his work.

One of the really good guys. So damned sad to see him go- he will be missed, for sure. RIP, Don BOWDOC Ward! :-(

A huge loss!! A legend has passed among us. Talked to Don a number of times back in the mid-90s. He was a wealth of knowledge, an "old school" pro cut from a rank of smooth suede and cold steel. Had a way about him that was so disarming but as real as a sunrise. I met Don through Larry St. Laurent, the man who "taught" Don how to really perfect the craft. I still have a Fred Bear 68 Super Kodiak that was one of Larry's personal bows. Beyond gorgeous; sleek, smooth, quiet as a jaguar. Don picked up the torch after Larry moved on and never looked back. He made his own name for himself. Just so, so sad to hear of this. Rest In Peace, brave brother...

A well of knowledge a character for sure he will be rememberes

As the deer thirsts for the waters of the cool brook, so longs my soul for thee oh Lord. Psalms 42:1

RIP. John

My condolences. RIP Don.

RIP DON! [he was one of the best.]

RIP Bowdoc. You will be missed.

Sad to hear. May he find peace.

River Wolf, I thought the same thing.!!

I actually feel sorry for the people who never met him personally. He'd talk your ear off but it was all good stuff!! AND then when he had a real audience he was hysterical!!

How sad to hear this, B.D. Will be missed by so many! God bless him and his family. Rest in peace Bowdoc!

RIP Bow Doc

Earth's loss. RIP Bow Doc.

Spent a week in bear camp with BD, he truly was one of a kind. RIP Doc

Sad news for sure, Prayers for the family, RIP Bowdoc.

Glenn, Tom called me yesterday morning as well. I was supposed to go down bear hunting with Tom this weekend. Opting out due to this news. My sincere condolences to all his family and friends. Shane

Well Damn, Don was one of a kind. He taught a whole bunch of us how to treat a refinish. RIP Don

Knew him well, hunted elk with him for 20+ years... He really would have liked that typo, used to say he would rather be shot at and missed than shat at and hit.

My condolences to his family and loved ones. Sounds like a life well lived and a big loss to the trad community.

Sean, That couldn't have come out any more perfect! Bowdoc is getting a kick out of that one!

LD

Ha Larry, you're right there!! I've been running through "the best of Bowdoc " in my mind and I just keep laughing out loud. My wife thinks I'm nuts

Hmmm....that was a funny typo. Sad that another seasoned veteran of many seasons has passed. It would be nice if the good guys could last forever. I am sure he is resting easy now. May the good Lord help his family and friends deal with this loss. God bless!

I just wrote this for the Traditional Bowhunters of WA newsletter:

I lost a friend this week. While he was proud of his Bowdoc persona, I called him Don or Donnie. While I’d get frustrated at how difficult it was to get him to call me back, I always felt close to him, no matter how long since our last talk. I used to tease him about cultivating his “mystique”, like Garbo or Brando(keep ‘em hungering for more!). If that was true, it worked with me-I always knew it was a matter of taking advantage of the time I had with him! Donnie had a surprising wealth of knowledge about archery history and collectibles. On top of that, he had a rare talent for rehabilitating classic bows in a way that enhanced their value as well as their beauty. That is how most folks knew of him, but it’s not all he was. Don brought on most of his own problems(he wasn’t alone there!). In many ways, he wasn’t a fine example of moral rectitude. But, his outlook was generally positive and uniquely comical. To me he was one of those funny characters that adds a different kind of enjoyment to life. I just LIKED being with him! I have said it about him many times: I always came away from a conversation with Don laughing. And I often laughed out loud for some time afterwards! If he had been less of a free spirit, he wouldn’t have the same place in my memories. Rest in Peace, Donnie. Tom

Well, I had at least 35-40 bows redone by Donnie. Many had been done for others, before they came to me. Not saying anyone should refinish a bow that doesn't need it, but in 40 years I came across many that were rare, desirable, and had been mistreated in some way. Donnie made them well again. He was unimposing, small in stature, cackled and cussed sometimes far too loudly. Old? He looked like maybe a hundred and ten! This was not a guy who treated his body like it was a temple! Banned substances had been a part of his life in the distant(?) past...I don't think he made any excuses for that.

Linda Ward, Don's wife, had fought a very serious illness for years, finally passing away this spring. Don never appeared to be real healthy, but the only really serious problem I knew about came from the heart attack a couple of years ago. He had not lost an eye when I saw him last-you may be thinking of James Berry. Yes, Don's doctor did tell him to stop refinishing bows-whether because of the heart or the refinishing materials/processes, I don't know. In any case, I think he cared for Linda very much. It is not appropriate to assume you know what is going on in someone else's life/mind, but I've learned there is a benefit to a life lived large, with many interests and pursuits to follow. Without that, one can end up lonely, depressed, and unfulfilled pretty easily. I know, too much melodrama, but it offers an answer to what may have happened to some folks I've known.

Godspeed Don. TLM

Glad I had him sign my bow. Rest in peace buddy.

Rest in peace my brother of the bow, Don was a master craftsman and refinished at least 8 bows for me down thru the years and I stopped by his place when I was in Seattle visiting my son and enjoyed our visiting for an hour or so. Don was one of a kind and will be missed by many.

Wow, I'm sorry to hear this. I didn't know Don, other than through his posts and his reputation here. Prayers for his family. May he rest in peace.

Donnie, comical, sometimes elusive and a heart of gold. Rest In Peace my friend......

Bowdoc loved bows, celebrated the craftsmanship. A loss to our community, indeed.

Reading the tributes written on here, it shows that the guy cut a pretty wide swath in the old bow world. His work has been my inspiration to get my restore quality up to a higher level. I have a couple of his restores on my racks. It is funny how some people do not have to sign their work but everyone knows who did it. RIP Bowdoc!

I'm still not over it....

Rest In Peace Don

The little guy would be crying his eyes out reading all this!!

Don finished several bows for me, one in particular a rare LH A riser that had been left in a shed with a leaky roof. The finish was gone, the metal was rusted and it looked like it was ready for the dumpster. When I got it back from Don I couldn't believe what he had done for that bow. He had a rare talent and a desire to restore bows that had been abused... he will be missed.

Thanks Tom for a closer look at a man that some of us only knew casually. RIP Don

I never had the privilege of meeting him but archery seems somehow different for me just knowing he's gone. I,'ve been shooting 52 years and can't remember a time he wasn't in it. Even way before the internet I used to see his ads in bow and arrow and see or hear him mentioned alot. My prayers go out to his family and his many, many friends.

Very sorry to hear this. God bless him and his family.

Sad news.

Thoughts and prayers to his family.

I never met him in person but I will miss his contributions and his presence.

Be at peace my friend, Don, your passion, knowledge and craftsmanship will be greatly missed. I'll hunt this year with one of take downs you worked your magic on... You'll never know how much I appreciated the time and effort you shared with me over the last 20 years... always welcome at my campfire...

From: Bowdoc Private Reply Date: 07-Aug-17

So long as the new moon returns in heavens A bent beautiful bow so long will the fascination of archery keep hold of the hearts of men Maurice Thompson 1878

Amen, Dr. Ward. You will be missed more than you knew.

Beautiful work, an inspiration and legend indeed. RIP

I kept thinking about doc all this weekend while I was hunting thinking whats up with all this OMG. I was praying for his daughter too we don't know what is next any of us so we might as well enjoy it while its hear and give thanks for what little time and what we do have anyways if we like it or not.

It just goes to show as wild as someone can be there's inside a little boy who wants to get out. We can do many things and cover up some things so others don't see through and use all sorts of camo so the wolf don't see us.

This is sad for sure and a great loss as we all do know and it will be felt for many years but I suppose Doc lived as free as he could and now to be with his wife his life circle came completed. I'd love to trade places with him.

Lord take care of the Doc clan and help those to understand him who didn't and rest them now that suffer from his loss that they are gone. He's in a place where he don't have to deal with any sickness or sorrow that was in this world.

Don save a spot for me along the trail and watch over all of us rest in peace we will hopefully meet somewhere in the golden bush.

So sorry. Eternal be his memory. George

Yea Raymond Cat, it took me the weekend to process it. I had a few good laughs thinking back on some of the bear hunts

RIP Sir, God Speed

prayers sent

I didn't see Terry Green or Ray lyon comment on the thread on TradBang! RIP BowDoc.

Thursday Sept.7th in the morning instantly became a sad day when I got a call from Bowdoc's oldest daughter that Bowdoc had passed the day before.Over the past 22 years I was fortunate to have become a very close friend of Bowdoc's even though we lived 3000 miles apart.I first became acquanted with him when I needed to speak to him about doing some repair work on a Kodiak Compass bow and things blossomed from there.I got to hunt in the Cascades with him,spend a little time in his shop,meet his family as well.He had become the Official camp cook & entertainment for about 12 out of the past 14 years of Bear camp in Quebec with all Stick & Stringers from all walks of life were he kept us fed well and made us laugh alot of times from sunup to sundown.Some of the things I will miss about him are the serious talks we had about life & death,his friendship with Glenn St.Charles,how he loved his wife,his kids & grandkids.I cherish the cool knife he made out of saw blade that he put Moose antler scales on,the leather wrist compass,the bowhunters kit & file sheath to name a few things he gifted to me over the years.The memories with him is what I cherish close to 25 weeks in Bear Camp,350+ hours driving behind the wheel with him in the passenger seat which made time fly by with all we talked about .............. many hours talking on the phone. I will never forget you PhD of Archery AKA "Bowdoc" Love your son No-Neck.

Seeing no-neck, Confirms who I thought the above post is.. Mr Phillips. Not only was doc my best buddy, He was my counselor, mentor, hunting buddy and family member.. I know most folks that where very important to him. He talked often about them. He had a way with words and communication on a personal level. I know Tom Baldwin, and Tom Phillips where very much important to Ph.d archerbowman.. Absolutely there is others that humbled his heart. I received emails from Nepal as well as other areas around the world.. I was truly honored to follow him around the woods with a video camera for the last 20+ yrs.. I have a few things I'd like to send out to both Mr Baldwin and Mr Tom Phillips. Thank you all very much for your kind words.. Bowdoc was a guy u either loved, or haven't met him yet.. ty for letting me share a little.. shoot str8 and best wishes. Warberg

Great Loss!

Didn't know him but prayers to family

Sad Day for Everyone !!!

Strung this in his memory. Rooty

This was from Docs service Saturday. His bear takedown, The "60" made by bowdoc. And a 57 yak that Glenn St Charles and Bowdoc signed and refinished.. PM me if any would like one of His "whatcha MA call it from the funeral. . Get out and shoot some vintage bows..

I met him at denton one year what a great guy. RIP DON

Prayers sent for the family

Warberg, that is a very nice photo of some of bowdoc's treasured items. Condolences still go out to his family and friends. Seems he had many friends abroad.

RIP bowdoc.

TTT for BD, lets make it 200 posts for a guy who could make friends sitting in a traffic jam. . BD in body may not be here but his body of work will last a few more life times. Bear Quest won't be the same. May his worn out Russell boots keep him trucking in the happy hunting ground. Hope you got good smoke there too buddy.

Never met the fella but his posts were always very interesting and full of great info.

T4

I've been thinking about the little guy a lot lately!!

Father God please be with the family and friends of bowdoc rest in pease in God's arms in Jesus name amen

There's little doubt about Don having a special place in archery history. His work was THE best with his work on bows IMO and we will certainly miss his talents and knowledge.

Don, rest in peace.

Looks like a Hudson Bay blanket. Rooty

Sorry to hear this bad news. However.....I had sent my Anderson SKOOKUM to him some months ago to be refinished. What do I do now? How do I get my Skookum back ???

Sorry to hear of his passing. I always loved reading his posts Peace to his memory and prayers for his family and friends

Very sad news... Prayers sent..

Warberg, Was that shooting glove in your picture made for him by Grant Young ? Looks like Grant's work.

Grant Young...I miss that guy too. Lamont Granger...the list is long.

Great thing about the internet, their legacy is secure.

RIP

The shooting glove was made by Grant, yep.. I tried posting another photo of it but it wouldn't let me... hhmm, nite folks

Thoughts and prayers for him and his family and friends. RIP Don

Sad news, RIP Bow Doc.

prayers from WA

Condolences to his family. He will be missed by traditional community.

My condolences,prayers for family and friends.

TTT for PHd Archer Bowman. Nite,

Prayers for all connected.

I hunted at bear camp with Don in 2015. A couple of weeks ago I sent a cedar arrow into the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area here in the Adirondacks of New York with his name on it and RIP. Sent from the Bear Takedown he talked me into buying at bear camp. When I shot my Bear he and I had a long talk about what that really meant, to be a hunter and to take a life. You never would have those words would have come from Bowdoc, he was rough around the edges but this pastime he held very close to his heart.........RIP my friend.

Amen Ron, He was a much deeper person than he liked to let most people know. I met him at bow camp also and had several good talks with him and a one on one talk was much deeper than when he had a group and could "entertain the troops".

I am rarely on here anymore but just saw this thread. What a total bummer. Traded a lot of emails with Don,and learned a lot of restoration tricks from him. Sorry to hear this. All of my old hunting buddies are now gone too. Life sucks when you get old.....

I'm sory to hear the news. I didn't know Don, but from what I've read about him in this thread, I'm sure I would have liked him. Rest In Peace, Don. Prayers for his family and friends.

PMs replied.. Thank you folks. Mr Baldwin, a well written article. You certainly have a great way to communicate. Best wishes,

Wow that is very sad news.<><

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here