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.
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.
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
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.
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 .