Joining the group to pay my respects to Rick Bowles, his art, his love of country, his love of Randalls, and the incalculable contribution he made to the history of Randall Made knives.

To be sure, Rick was a world-class artist with a world-class artist's temprement, sometimes a bit of a curmudgeon, but always a man of honor, integrity and a patriot. You might not always have agreed with him, but if he said something, you knew he meant it. Rick was never reluctant to let you know where he stood.

Rick was very much a Renaissance man. In addition to his art, he was an accomplished musician and played guitar in a band for many years. He was an adamant supporter of our military and the men and women in uniform who served our country. You may recall the Randall Special Fighters group he organized here on the Forum to support individual warriors and groups of warriors.

Rick loved his wife Kim very deeply and always spoke of her lovingly, with respect and admiration. His was very proud of his daughter Quincy,a commissioned officer and Naval Aviator now serving aboard one of our aircraft carriers at sea, and his son Garrick, retired from the military after serving as a special operator in the brown water Navy and as a police officer with the Virginia Beach Police. When Rick passed he was with Kim, Quincy and his sister-in-law Misty.

Rick was my friend for 30+ years, I valued his friendship, am saddened by his loss, and will miss him.