Rancid Crabtree and Strange say "Goodbye" - Pat McManus passed away this week

[silverdalesauer]

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/apr/13/beloved-humor-writer-patrick-mcmanus-dies-age-84/

Patrick McManus, the New York Times best-selling humorist and outdoor writer from the Spokane area, died on Wednesday. He was 84.

His family confirmed his death to KHQ on Thursday evening.

McManus, who was raised in Sandpoint, was a longtime humor columnist for magazines such as Outdoor Life and Field & Stream. He became an associate editor at Field & Stream, and editor-at-large for Outdoor Life, and he wrote for both publications for more than 40 years. His columns featured a cast of characters loosely based on the folks he knew from his youth in Sandpoint, guys like Rancid Crabtree and Crazy Eddie Muldoon, and a dog named Strange.

He published two dozen books, and sold more than 5 million copies, in his lengthy career. Several of those books were collections of his magazine columns, such as 1978’s “A Fine and Pleasant Misery” and its follow-up, “They Shoot Canoes, Don’t They?” His most recent release was 2014’s “Circle in the Snow,” the sixth entry in the Sheriff Bo Tully mystery series.

His stories took on a life of their own, literally, on the stage, thanks to a long-running relationship with Tim Behrens, who for more than two decades has toured the country in one-man-shows as McManus’ “indentured actor.” Behrens would bring McManus’ colorful characters to life in shows such as “McManus in Love,” “Poor Again … Dagnabbit!” and, of course, “A Fine and Pleasant Misery.”

McManus earned his degree from Washington State University, and taught at Eastern Washington University, from which he retired in 1983. As a professor emeritus, he was awarded the 2013 Distinguished Faculty Award. As the EWU Alumni Association wrote in announcing the award, “As a teacher, Pat was inspirational, demanding, and fun. He challenged all students to reach beyond what they imagined they could do and always strive for more.”

[Alchase]

That's too bad, he was an awesome story teller.
I learned the art of "Skittering" while stealhead fishing from him.
 

[FWilliams]

Dang hell of a guy as well as a storyteller. RIP

[grundy53]

Loved his work. Grew up reading his books. Rest in peace

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Skillet]

Dagnabbitt...

I spent many hours reading his books as a young one, and to this day my Grandmother thinks I got more enjoyment out of her gift to me of "The Grasshopper Trap" than any other present.

I don't think she's wrong.

RIP McManus, thanks for the laughs-

[Pacific]

Dang, I think I've read everything he ever wrote several times over....R.I.P. 

[Curly]

I'll have to dig out a couple of old books of his and re-read them this weekend in memory. RIP.

[WapitiTalk1]

Wow, RIP Mr. McManus....

“It is best not to use a sleeping bag on your first attempt to sleep outside alone in the dark. Sleeping bags are not 
made for running.” —Risk Assessment, April 2009

[Whitpirate]

Best college course I ever took was a writing course where he was a guest lecturer for 2 months.

Heck of a guy in person and even greater than print.

[Rob]

Best college course I ever took was a writing course where he was a guest lecturer for 2 months.

Heck of a guy in person and even greater than print.

Very jealous of you!

 He has had a profound impact on me.  Sad to hear he passed.

[elkboy]

So sad to see this.  His books are hilarious, but they also run deeply with love for the outdoors and all of us outdoorspeople. 

[branches]

When My Field & Stream would come in the mail the first thing I would do is read his article. RIP

[Ghost Hunter]

Loved his humor.  RIP

[Gringo31]

He was fantastic.....


Herbie the chicken 

[3nails]

 "Outdoor Life" was the first magazine I ever subscribed to. I always went straight to the back of the magazine to read "The Last Laugh" and then to search for the "NINA" in the associated cartoon pick. I then bought all his books as they came out and read them over and over. And then to my kids. We took the whole family to the Mount Baker Theater to see "The McManus Comedies" starring Tim Behrens. Go see this if he is still doing it! It was awesome! RIP Mr. McManus and thank you for the laughs.

 Never sniff a gift fish.