Author Topic: Rancid Crabtree and Strange say "Goodbye" - Pat McManus passed away this week (Read 7880 times)

silverdalesauer · « **on:** April 13, 2018, 09:45:07 AM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2018, 09:51:17 AM »

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

FWilliams · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2018, 10:19:49 AM »

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

grundy53 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2018, 10:40:42 AM »

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

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Skillet · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2018, 10:41:18 AM »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2018, 01:22:13 PM »

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

Curly · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2018, 01:39:14 PM »

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

WapitiTalk1 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2018, 01:48:01 PM »

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 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2018, 01:54:25 PM »

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 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2018, 02:06:23 PM »

Quote from: Whitpirate on April 13, 2018, 01:54:25 PM

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 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2018, 04:03:17 PM »

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2018, 04:24:50 PM »

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

Ghost Hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2018, 04:28:54 PM »

Loved his humor. RIP

Gringo31 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2018, 04:48:39 PM »

He was fantastic.....

Herbie the chicken

3nails · « **Reply #14 on:** April 13, 2018, 05:15:26 PM »

"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.

Redstar · « **Reply #15 on:** April 13, 2018, 05:33:52 PM »

Sad

RIP.

BNAElkhntr · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2018, 05:46:14 PM »

Great Writer So sad He Passed on I Have all his Books Many late nights at Hunting Camp spent reading
Rest In Peace Sir!

Alpine Mojo · « **Reply #17 on:** April 13, 2018, 05:49:28 PM »

I had no idea he was a local.

Blacktail Sniper · « **Reply #18 on:** April 13, 2018, 05:49:53 PM »

Rest in Peace, thank you for all the laughs!

Alchase · « **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2018, 06:24:05 PM »

If you have not listened to his Books on CDs, The bear in the attic is great!

jdb · « **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2018, 06:44:30 PM »

I started reading his work in about 6th grade. I've read it all several times. My personal favorite is the night the bear ate goonbaw.

Twispriver · « **Reply #21 on:** April 13, 2018, 07:10:31 PM »

I have worn out the bindings on several of his books - I still laugh out loud when I think of some of his stories - his description of the modified stationary panic and the full blown ricochet panic had me chuckling just the other day.

3nails · « **Reply #22 on:** April 13, 2018, 07:44:08 PM »

He also did some very serious self-help literature. It would behoove you to check out his lecture on "gun running- past your wife".

brewzer13 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 13, 2018, 07:57:20 PM »

One of my all-time favorite stories of his was when he went deer hunting on his bicycle and strapped the deer, which wasn't dead, to his back and started riding back down the hill and the deer came to life. The description of him having the deer's hind legs strapped to his feet and the pedals is absolutely hillarious

I will have to pull out my collection and read them all again. R.I.P

Jpmiller · « **Reply #24 on:** April 13, 2018, 08:08:09 PM »

Quote from: brewzer13 on April 13, 2018, 07:57:20 PM

One of my all-time favorite stories of his was when he went deer hunting on his bicycle and strapped the deer, which wasn't dead, to his back and started riding back down the hill and the deer came to life. The description of him having the deer's hind legs strapped to his feet and the pedals is absolutely hillarious I will have to pull out my collection and read them all again. R.I.P

I think of that story literally Everytime I'm on a bike. Was just thinking the other day about how I want to start reading the stories to my boys.

My dad met him at an outdoor show a few hours after he had done a book signing. He talked to him for about a half hour and ended up walking away with a personalized signed copy of his book for free. My old man isn't a fan on many people, especially those he had met in person but he always talked highly of McMManus.

Bucks2Ducks · « **Reply #25 on:** April 13, 2018, 08:21:54 PM »

Sad to hear! I remember reading all his books in middle school during our daily personal reading time, and awkwardly laughing out loud. I keep the books around hoping some day my kids can get the enjoyment out of his stories that I did.

“An elk that is shot dead within 15 feet of your hunting vehicle will still pull himself together enough to gallop to the very bottom of the steepest canyon within five miles. This is known as elk’s revenge.’”

Threewolves · « **Reply #26 on:** April 13, 2018, 08:26:39 PM »

I am for ever a fan. I can't remember how long ago I started reading his humor articles, then books. I even brought his books while camping with my kids when they were little ( grade school )(now 39 and 41) along the Alaskan Highway. One of my favorites was "Poof No Eyebrows" (or early experiments with black powder).

I was telling a buddy of mine a couple of weeks ago about the perfect foot wear invented by "Mr. Tenner", the tenner shoe. courtesy of Pat McManus.

Alchase · « **Reply #27 on:** April 13, 2018, 08:42:35 PM »

Quote from: Bucks2Ducks on April 13, 2018, 08:21:54 PM

“An elk that is shot dead within 15 feet of your hunting vehicle will still pull himself together enough to gallop to the very bottom of the steepest canyon within five miles. This is known as elk’s revenge.’”

My second elk proved this is true. Shot 10 ft from a closed road, out of spite, he purposely, dove straight down a 40 embankment into drainage ditch. in three feet of water, completely surrounded by Devils club.
I had to alternate climbing down, tie off a quarter, climb back up, pull quarters straight up to the road, then repeat, only had one rope.
Then had a 2.5 mile pack out, 8 trips, soaking wet. After putting my pack in the truck, I realized I left my rope tied up at the site, no way I was going back for fit, LOL

WapitiTalk1 · « **Reply #28 on:** April 13, 2018, 09:25:54 PM »

His books are available at https://www.thriftbooks.com at very reasonable prices if anyone would like to pick some up. I just ordered a handful.

Alchase · « **Reply #29 on:** April 13, 2018, 09:42:16 PM »

His book on CDs are the best road trip entertainment ever.

The Fin · « **Reply #30 on:** April 14, 2018, 07:56:10 PM »

Loved his books may he rest in peace and prayers to his family.

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