Flatgate, Carl Laco called home to the lord...

[doublebarrel_2]

RIP, flatgate. Don't know him personally but I did make a friend here on the Ruger forum, whose name is also Carl. We kinda lost contact for a long time too (I haven't logged into the forum for ages), will try to get in touch again. Life is short...

 

[Swobard2]

Though I remember him only as Flatgate, from earlier days on this forum, he was a fountain of knowledge, and a patient teacher to those without his deep knowledge of Ruger products.
God bless you, Mr. Flatgate.

 

[Swampbilly_2]

Carl passed away three or four months ago I was told a few minutes ago. He died at the rest home in Rock Springs where he'd been for quite some spell.
I'll bet the conversations up yonder with Bill Ruger have been Wonderful !!
Over the years he'd stop here and we'd talk guns and drink beer to all hours of the night, then get up early and go shooting up in the Black Hills until we were both pooped.
He taught me the joys and relaxation of shooting sitting down !!
Some day we'll all be together again Carl.
And so it goes...

Really hate to hear that. I only had opportunity to meet Carl once, at the NRA Convention in Charlotte NC in 2010.

I thought I had taken a photo of him, at that time, but examining my photos...looks like I didn't. Did get to briefly meet and greet him though at the Booth, as well as meeting Contender and Penny. Attached two photo I did get at that event.

Rest in Piece, Carl ("FlatGate")....you established and left behind a great Forum :

 

[Knuckles]

I was a nobody on his forum and Carl reached out and conversed with me regarding some of my subjects, boy that made me feel very welcome and Carl (the 'Boss') very approachable.
I was very sad when I become aware of his departure...I just stared at my screen.
I enjoyed just reading his remarks on fellow member's posts...I sure like his forum.

 

[aminahyaquin]

So very sad about this loss. Wish we had a tears icon. God rest you, Flatgate. Thank you.

 

[WAYNO]

 

[badguybuster]

We seem to be losing a lot of Wise Old Men this year. GOD Speed

 

[GrandmasterB]

RIP

 

[dobegrant.45]

Rest in peace

 

[Ligase]

Rest in peace Carl.

 

[akbluz]

Although I never had the chance to meet Carl, I too am grateful for this "his" forum (yeah, I know it's really all the members here that are the "real" RugerForum). I rarely post much as y'all are way more knowledgeable than I'll ever be - but I do love my Ruger firarms.... I thank God every day that Bill Ruger was the man he was. But I'd love to be sitting in Carl's Jeep watching him skiing down from the mountain top. RIP Carl, sounds like you were definitely one of the good guys.

 

[snipe10]

RIP

 

[rodfarva]

I think this thread is a touching tribute to the man known as Flatgate, and demonstrates that his presence will remain forever with this forum

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Been a long time since we talked..................have lots of questions..............I miss you, Carl

 

[Fox Mike]

It was said, on a TV show this week, that we die twice. Once when we leave this Earth and the second time when people quit telling stories about us. We need more CARL stories.

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

We need more CARL stories.

I saved a few of Carl's pictures he used to post. Recently, I've been chatting with a member about Bearcat convertibles, so I went looking for this pic of Carl's triple consecutive set:

Carl was quick to point out that those 3 guns had 3 different style grip medallions, making the set extra special.

Right next to that picture in the same folder is this picture of one of the ultra-rare Spanish RSSEs:

Notice that the hammer is not engraved. That's because the owner used to dry-fire "fan" the gun for hours on end practicing his quickdraw technique, and eventually, he broke the engraved hammer (though reportedly, he kept both pieces of it in the event that it could someday be repaired).

Now, Carl always admired that gun (and who wouldn't - it is one of 20). The owner, being older than Carl, told him that he would see to it that Carl receive the gun upon the owner's passing. Well, of course, Carl ended up going first, passing at a fairly young age, in his 60's. I do not know whatever became of the gun, nor specifically who the owner is/was. All Carl ever gave up was the owner's state of residence and occupation. He didn't want any competition in his holy grail chase.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

My communications and early discussion note that Carl had an RSSE.(not the one noted) After some other "stops" I believe it now resides with one of our members........... Don't know if he wishes to be identified.............

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

Mike, yes, Carl had this RSSE.

Sadly, he used as collateral for a loan when the medical bills started piling up.

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

I just remembered another Carl story. He was an avid skier who worked at Jackson Hole and when he told a story of going off trail in near white out conditions and nearly crashing, I said that we should start calling him by his Indian name: Dances with Trees.

Shortly thereafter, some auction house was selling this beer sign that reminded me of Carl. The guy not only looks like Carl, but he is about to ski into a tree. And Carl enjoyed a beer now and then, though he was Czech, not German. I posted it in the Dances with Trees thread, and we had a few chuckles.

I saved that pic in a Carl folder under filename "Herman-the-German"

Then I was over in the UK on business and took this pic of a beer tap at a pub:

That was another topic for comedy, that Carl would have his own beer and that the taps would look like ski slopes.

 

[contender]

Love the fun stuff WMG. The "Dances with Trees" moniker is great.