Post by: silverdalesauer on April 13, 2018, 09:45:07 AM
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.”
Post by: Alchase on April 13, 2018, 09:51:17 AM
I learned the art of "Skittering" while stealhead fishing from him.
:'(
Post by: FWilliams on April 13, 2018, 10:19:49 AM
Post by: grundy53 on April 13, 2018, 10:40:42 AM
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Post by: Skillet on April 13, 2018, 10:41:18 AM
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-
Post by: Pacific on April 13, 2018, 01:22:13 PM
Post by: Curly on April 13, 2018, 01:39:14 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on April 13, 2018, 01:48:01 PM
“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
Post by: Whitpirate on April 13, 2018, 01:54:25 PM
Heck of a guy in person and even greater than print.
Post by: Rob on April 13, 2018, 02:06:23 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.
Post by: elkboy on April 13, 2018, 04:03:17 PM
Post by: branches on April 13, 2018, 04:24:50 PM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on April 13, 2018, 04:28:54 PM
Post by: Gringo31 on April 13, 2018, 04:48:39 PM
Herbie the chicken :chuckle:
Post by: 3nails on April 13, 2018, 05:15:26 PM
Never sniff a gift fish.
Post by: Redstar on April 13, 2018, 05:33:52 PM
RIP.
Post by: BNAElkhntr 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!
Post by: Alpine Mojo on April 13, 2018, 05:49:28 PM
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on April 13, 2018, 05:49:53 PM
Post by: Alchase on April 13, 2018, 06:24:05 PM
Post by: jdb on April 13, 2018, 06:44:30 PM
Post by: Twispriver on April 13, 2018, 07:10:31 PM
Post by: 3nails on April 13, 2018, 07:44:08 PM
Post by: brewzer13 on April 13, 2018, 07:57:20 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on April 13, 2018, 08:08:09 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 :chuckle: 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.
Post by: 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.’”
Post by: Threewolves on April 13, 2018, 08:26:39 PM
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.
Post by: Alchase on April 13, 2018, 08:42:35 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
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on April 13, 2018, 09:25:54 PM
Post by: Alchase on April 13, 2018, 09:42:16 PM
Post by: The Fin on April 14, 2018, 07:56:10 PM