Author R.L. Wilson passed

[CraigC]

This happened earlier this month and I only heard about it today. Probably the most prolific author in his field. I know I have a ton of his books. May he rest in peace.

 

[win1894s]

i have most of his work.sorry to see him go. rip

 

[gramps]

What field was he in? RIP SIR
gramps

 

[flattop44]

GUNS...he wrote a lot of great Colt and Winchester books, several on engraving of those firearms. He also authored "Ruger and His Guns".
FT44

 

[Rumrunner]

RIP. I hadn't heard anything about his passing.

 

[pete44ru]

.

Sorry to hear that - the last time I heard about him was in 2006-08, when he served a 1-year jail sentence @ the Lompoc (CA) Federal Camp, for un-ethical business practices (later acquitted of further charges).


.

 

[contender]

" in-ethical" I think you mis-hit a key. I believe it was supposed to be un-ethical.

In any event, yes, he served time for fraud. But he did turn out some excellent books.

 

[mohavesam]

:roll: Nice to bring up the trumped-up case without knowing any details about it, including his acquittal - on the thread about his death. I remember when people held speaking ill of the dead until they were in the ground. :roll: :roll: :roll:

I will miss his new works. Have a big shelf full of his work and no one I know of to step in and take his place.

 

[rugerguy]

Well said dixieboy and very true..................yes he was a good one for putting together and giving us some great books, and its the books that will carry on and help many in the future, of various gun makers.
and yes sad to say it was not only an "acquittal" but the decision of some in Kentucky, as well as at least one gun company that did decided NOT to "prosecute"....we'll never know, nor do I even care, life goes on and is too short as it is,so just simply live by the 'golden rule'; and best to the rest of you in this coming new year.. 8) :roll: :wink:

 

[RPM Enterprises]

I knew Larry very well. It was sad to hear of his passing. He certainly had a wealth of knowledge in the firearm industry. Couple years ago he had talked about doing another Ruger book. I had given him some information and pictures of some memorabilia. Wonder if he ever started it.

 

[57springer]

I have enjoyed reading his books , RIP .

 

[wolfsong]

:roll: Nice to bring up the trumped-up case without knowing any details about it, including his acquittal - on the thread about his death. I remember when people held speaking ill of the dead until they were in the ground. :roll: :roll: :roll:

I will miss his new works. Have a big shelf full of his work and no one I know of to step in and take his place.

He plead guilty to fraud and was sentenced to one year and one day. He did his time. He was acquitted in subsequent cases, while being under federal investigation for others. His business practices put his expertise to question, and rightfully so.

Death does not give one immunity from scrutiny.

 

[mohavesam]

Its a matter of parenting, decency, and propriety - I was taught to not speak ill of the dead in a wake, never speak of divorce at a wedding, never spit in front of women 'ner children.

The man who in remembrance, recalls one's misdeeds before his good deeds, departs from good manners and taste. YMMV.

 

[mohavesam]

Sorry dixieboy, if your circumstance fits my post. If the words parenting, decency, and propriety actually offend you...

I did not post anything about judging you but I can PM if you desire to attack me on a personal level. It is not appropriate on the forum.

 

[mohavesam]

Still not an insult. On my part at least.

 

[pete44ru]

" in-ethical" I think you mis-hit a key. I believe it was supposed to be un-ethical.

Thanks, I typed "un" - "Auto-correct" has reared it's ugly head once again & I didn't notice it.....

The correct spelling took, today, via an edit.

The man who in remembrance, recalls one's misdeeds before his good deeds, departs from good manners and taste.

FWIW, you don't do too bad there yourself (departing from good taste, etc), pal....... :roll:



.

 

[bogus bill]

This was also brought up on the Colt chat site where I am feralmerril. I was the first there to also point out Wilson's failing and I will put the same post here. First I get a little ruffled when I see nothing but praise on put on a person who dies, ignoring his past sins where people got hurt because he "was a leading expert" in a field we all love. Fine people that always obeyed the law and never hurt anyone die every minute but weren't famous slip into eternity without anyone noticing.
Some didn't like what I wrote there either same as here.:
Sorry guys, most usually I am one of those guys that if I haven't got something good to say I wont say anything. I have several books of his too, and he probably was about the best at what he did in more ways than one.
I cant get past this: http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2006/1225/112.html
Many people got hurt big time.

 

[wolfsong]

Still not an insult. On my part at least.

Perception is everything. From all sides.

 

[CraigC]

Real nice turn my thread has taken. Here's a hint, the man is dead. Regardless of his alleged misdeeds, his work stands for itself and it is considerable. He is now beyond our judgement. The only ones who truly know what really happened are Larry and his maker. If you want to rant about what he did or didn't do, or otherwise disrespect someone not here to defend himself, start your own damned thread about it.

 

[wolfsong]

Real nice turn my thread has taken. Here's a hint, the man is dead. Regardless of his alleged misdeeds, his work stands for itself and it is considerable. He is now beyond our judgement. The only ones who truly know what really happened are Larry and his maker. If you want to rant about what he did or didn't do, or otherwise disrespect someone not here to defend himself, start your own damned thread about it.

Uh, sorry, but that's not quite how forums work.

It seems that at least one of his victims and federal prosecutors also know what really happened, in one case. One case that he plead guilty to and was sentenced to federal prison as punishment. He wasn't sent to prison based on allegations; he was did time because he plead guilty.

Some of his "work" included fraud. That can be taken into serious consideration when assessing his life's work.

No one is ranting against him. Some are rightfully pointing out the factual vagrancies of his career. That is not disrespect, it is truth. No need to start another thread as it was opened for discussion when the OP was presented.

That's how forums work, by definition.

 

[CraigC]

Hey, thanks for the little lesson, I guess I haven't been on online forums for 20yrs. :roll:

The point here is, there's a time and a place for everything and a man's death is not the proper time, nor is a topic mourning his death is the proper place. Afterall, he did write the only significant book on Bill Ruger and this is RugerForum.

And no, the fraudulent activity has nothing to do with the validity of the material contained within his books. Yes, his misdeeds obviously leave a stain on an otherwise impressive career but there's no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The fact remains that he has published some of the greatest books on the subject of firearms bar none. His books on Colt and Winchester engraving are without peer. Maybe some folks should educate themselves on what the positive things he did before condemning him for the negative???

If you want to sit here and speak ill of the dead, don't let me stop you. But I see it as no different than those idiots who protest at soldier's funerals. Distasteful, disrespectful and cowardly. I guess I was raised better. We should be able to mourn the man's passing without having to listen to this crap. I know exactly how online forums work. For instance, I know that on many of them, if a discussion is not going the way certain moderators like, they will close it for their own personal reasons.

 

[wolfsong]

Hey, thanks for the little lesson,

You are welcome.