Just Reminiscing...

One of the first Remington professionals was a well known authoritarian on the trapshooting sport...in the early
days people were hired to work for arms companies, for little pay usually but total dedication to their company.
One of the well known ones was a gentleman by the name of Al Riehl.
Al worked for the Remington company for most of his life.
So, it really made me glad about my Dad, and all he achieved in his life time. He was a platoon sargent during world war two as a marine and was awarded a purple heart. When he got out of the service he started a water well drilling business, then a gun club.
And when I got out of the service we opened a store and trap range. He served for many years as president of our state assn, and was inducted into the state HOF.
So, it was interesting to see the nice letter of appreciation from Al Riehl to my father after one of our state shoots.

 

Puablo, when I began my ATA career Al Riehl was in charge of the squad tickets at the Grand and he was just inside the door of the the old entry building. He was such a nice person, always had a big smile and it just seemed that I was the most important person in the world when I was looking for squad tickets and I'm sure that most other folks felt the same way. He always had a very nice looking young lady(about my age) helping with the tickets, so I may have spent a little extra time in that area. Only knowing Al in his retirement years, I'm sure he was a great Remington rep. Just another great trapshooting memory.

Dave Berlet

 

Jeff, if there were more guys around like your dad the ATA would be in a lot better shape than it is. I always had great respect for him. Hope you are doing well.
Ron B

 

Dave you're right about him! I don't know what I did, but for some reason the letter from to Al to my dad was left out...Ron, doing well-God bless!

 

Paublo, it just seemed that starting in this game as a young guy most of the reps were so helpful and kind to me. Just about the time that I started Charles Black came to Ohio to be our Remington rep. His son charles jr (Chuck) was the same age as I was and he was just starting to shoot trap also and Charles just seemed to take me under his wing along with his son and I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Remington. After Charles, Ken Berger was our rep for several years. Over the years I have shot a huge amount of targets with Ken and I still talk to Ken on a regular basis. Another of my early favorites was Bob Clavin and over the years so many more to numerous to list here. Besides all of the great Reps from all of companies there are so many trapshooting friends from over the years it just seems that trapshooting is a very great sport.

Dave Berlet

 

Dave, you're right , and the memories are stamped in our minds...the Grand in Ohio was a magical place where memories were created. I started going there when I
was15, I think...One early things was when I got in a shootoff under the lights and the girl that I shot off against gave me a good spanking. I came back from the line and Dick Baldwin gave me a ribbing about it.