Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 16 to 23 of 23

Thread: Yet another one bites the dust

  1. #16
    ccdjg is online now Airgun Alchemist, Collector and Scribe
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Leeds
    Posts
    2,039
    So far there had been no official obituary published anywhere for Robert Beeman, and there was a slight doubt that he may not have actually passed away. I can now update the situation, as an obituary has now appeared in the latest edition of the German magazine Visier. I have translated it, and it reads as follows:

    Dr., Robert Beeman (1932-2021)

    Known respectfully in the gun world as “Dr. Airgun ", Dr. Robert Beeman was one of the most important specialist authors on airguns. Born in California on March 23, 1932, he began his career as a professor of marine biology. In the early 1970s he founded " Beeman Precision Airguns " and marketed high-quality German air rifles and air pistols in the USA. With the "Airgun Digest" publication he created a multi-volume reference work that later became part of the "Blue Book of Airguns" series. Robert and his wife, Toshiko, sold their company in 1993 and have since travelled the world acquiring new air rifles and pistols and expanding their knowledge. Beeman's airgun collection contains over 7000 items - by far the largest in the world. When VISIER visited him at his ranch in California in 2012 '(see issue 1/2013), conversations revolved around the legendary Girardoni air rifle, with which the pioneers Lewis and Clark explored the western United States from 1803 to 1806. By chance it turned out to be an Austrian military airgun, which had previously lain undetected in the Beeman collection. Today this gun is guarded and transported as a priceless national treasure. Beeman planned a nearly 400 page illustrated book about Lewis & Clark and their Girardoni airgun. The manuscript involved collaboration with collectors from all over the world, but has not been published, as the ailing author could only do the paperwork for a while. The collection has now been transferred to an unknown collector. Robert Beeman died on August 25, 2021.



    I am surprised, and a bit saddened, that there has been no official obituary in the USA, at least as far as I know.

  2. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Wooster
    Posts
    3,513
    Quote Originally Posted by ccdjg View Post
    So far there had been no official obituary published anywhere for Robert Beeman, and there was a slight doubt that he may not have actually passed away. I can now update the situation, as an obituary has now appeared in the latest edition of the German magazine Visier. I have translated it, and it reads as follows:

    Dr., Robert Beeman (1932-2021)

    Known respectfully in the gun world as “Dr. Airgun ", Dr. Robert Beeman was one of the most important specialist authors on airguns. Born in California on March 23, 1932, he began his career as a professor of marine biology. In the early 1970s he founded " Beeman Precision Airguns " and marketed high-quality German air rifles and air pistols in the USA. With the "Airgun Digest" publication he created a multi-volume reference work that later became part of the "Blue Book of Airguns" series. Robert and his wife, Toshiko, sold their company in 1993 and have since travelled the world acquiring new air rifles and pistols and expanding their knowledge. Beeman's airgun collection contains over 7000 items - by far the largest in the world. When VISIER visited him at his ranch in California in 2012 '(see issue 1/2013), conversations revolved around the legendary Girardoni air rifle, with which the pioneers Lewis and Clark explored the western United States from 1803 to 1806. By chance it turned out to be an Austrian military airgun, which had previously lain undetected in the Beeman collection. Today this gun is guarded and transported as a priceless national treasure. Beeman planned a nearly 400 page illustrated book about Lewis & Clark and their Girardoni airgun. The manuscript involved collaboration with collectors from all over the world, but has not been published, as the ailing author could only do the paperwork for a while. The collection has now been transferred to an unknown collector. Robert Beeman died on August 25, 2021.



    I am surprised, and a bit saddened, that there has been no official obituary in the USA, at least as far as I know.
    Besides the oddness of nothing seeming to be printed in the US, the transfer of his collection to a unknown collector creates another mystery? As I remember DT Fletcher had doubts the Girardoni was actually Lewis and Clarks which ended their friendship?

  3. #18
    ccdjg is online now Airgun Alchemist, Collector and Scribe
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Leeds
    Posts
    2,039
    The other thing that puzzles me is the fact that his book was never published. At the time that his contact with the outside world abruptly stopped in 2015, his book was virtually ready for publication. This was the last email I received from him, dated November 22, 2015:

    URGENT Girardoni air reservoir waxy lining URGENT TIME LINE
    Robert Beeman <drairgun@beemans.net>

    Hi, John - I have been badly delayed by serious health in preparing the printer’s draft on my magnus opus -the star among my lifetime of scientific and airgun research. My doctors indicate that I should be able to get it published with some help from friends. Will you please give it a once over - for accuracy and esp. the imaging of this one of 18 chapters. Cover Price est, $100.00


    It would be a great loss to airgun literature if it never appears in print, irrespective of any controversy about the Lewis & Clark claim.

  4. #19
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Wooster
    Posts
    3,513
    Quote Originally Posted by ccdjg View Post
    The other thing that puzzles me is the fact that his book was never published. At the time that his contact with the outside world abruptly stopped in 2015, his book was virtually ready for publication. This was the last email I received from him, dated November 22, 2015:

    URGENT Girardoni air reservoir waxy lining URGENT TIME LINE
    Robert Beeman <drairgun@beemans.net>

    Hi, John - I have been badly delayed by serious health in preparing the printer’s draft on my magnus opus -the star among my lifetime of scientific and airgun research. My doctors indicate that I should be able to get it published with some help from friends. Will you please give it a once over - for accuracy and esp. the imaging of this one of 18 chapters. Cover Price est, $100.00


    It would be a great loss to airgun literature if it never appears in print, irrespective of any controversy about the Lewis & Clark claim.
    Wonder is the current owner of the collection also owns the book now? He may see to it’s publishing?

  5. #20
    micky2 is offline The collector formerly known as micky
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    boston
    Posts
    2,140
    Quote Originally Posted by 45flint View Post
    Besides the oddness of nothing seeming to be printed in the US, the transfer of his collection to a unknown collector creates another mystery? As I remember DT Fletcher had doubts the Girardoni was actually Lewis and Clarks which ended their friendship?
    l find it strange that nothing is confirmed about his death in the US only Germany. shame that he fell out with DT Fletcher over that which is never going to be proven either way.

  6. #21
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Auckland
    Posts
    523

    Men with firm beliefs

    When you have two guns claiming to be the companion of Cpt Lewis.....I guess friendships can become soured.I never saw either of them! I got my first EB Sheridan from Beeman's-cost $35

  7. #22
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    City of London
    Posts
    9,736
    Citizen K also posted this on the AVA from the Blue Book of Airgun Values and the following link on a condolences website from Beeman's wife, Toshiko, which mentions her husband's death:

    It is with much sadness that we want to share the passing of a friend and airgun legend, Dr. Robert Beeman (1932-2021). Mr. Beeman was a crucial part of each new edition of the Blue Book of Airguns. He was an innovator, enthusiast, and true leader in the airgun community and his contribution to the sport and love of airguns will be truly missed.
    "In many ways the length and breadth of the Airgun section comes as a result of one man's work, Dr. Robert Beeman, the father of the American adult airgun." - Steve Fjestad, 1998.

    https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries...ary?id=9092924


    Steve Fjestad with Robert Beeman:

    Vintage Airguns Gallery
    ..Above link posted with permission from Gareth W-B
    In British slang an anorak is a person who has a very strong interest in niche subjects.

  8. #23
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Doncaster
    Posts
    4,852
    Quote Originally Posted by 45flint View Post
    Besides the oddness of nothing seeming to be printed in the US, the transfer of his collection to a unknown collector creates another mystery? As I remember DT Fletcher had doubts the Girardoni was actually Lewis and Clarks which ended their friendship?
    RIP Dr. Beeman

    I'm glad somebody else stuck his neck out on the subject of the Girandoni. I'm sure Dean Fletcher stated categorically on these pages that the gun in question was not the Lewis and Clark one. He must have truly believed that to contradict such an authority. The Believers appear to believe a lot of other things that are unsubstantiated but I understand that is the definition of faith.

    I'll go along with Guy Martin on that topic.

    I'm also curious to know how you get a 400 page book out of a single gun.

    Happy to admit my ignorance and curiosity, Mick
    When guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns .

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •