Tom Jenkins called this morning with the sad news that Al Reader passed away. I was fortunate to have known Al for over 25 years. He was undoubtedly the most enthusiastic Bear Collector on the planet. Words can't describe what a great person that Al was and what all of his contributions have meant to the world of collecting old archery tackle.

Very sad news indeed, Wade. I was fortunate to get a glimpse of part of Al's remarkable and most impressive Bear collection at last year's Compton Rendezvous.

Ray

While I never had a chance to meet Mr. Reader but my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I can't count the number of times I have read his articles that I downloaded about Bear bows. His info was the first and only I had when I started.

we will him for sure one of the finest.bowdoc

Thanks Wade for letting us know... I spent some time with Al last year at Compton.... Man I know I will sure miss him.. He was a great guy.....

Cody

I too have had the great pleasure of knowing and dealing with Al many times over the last 15 years. Al shared a great deal of knowledge with me
and I am thankful for that. My prayers go out to his family and his vast circle of friends as they learn to accept his journey to be with our father.

I am saddened to of the passing of Al Reader.He was a very special person always willing to share his knowlegde and passion collecting Bear bows.I've had many conversations with Al over the last 12 years and will miss him alot.My condolences to his wife and family.Ron Reagle

I'm very sorry to hear about Al.  My condolences to his family and friends.

My deepest condolensces to the Reader family.  

I never got meet Al, but his vast knowledge has taught me alot about the bows, and the sport I love.  Thanks Al.

Tim

To those of you that knew him personally and to Al's family I offer my deepest condolences.  

There's only a few "sure things" we are promised when we arrive here on earth and one is that we will pass.  

From everything I've read, Al Reader made the most of his time spent here with us.  His passion, committment and thirst for knowledge benefitted all of us that are caught up in Trad History and collecting.  His willingness to share these things was his gift to all of us.  

Thank You Al for taking the time, even for those of us that never had the pleasure of meeting you.

Trap

We all lost much when Al passed away. My sympathies to his family and many friends. Tough shoes to fill.                Grant

What a tragedy, I am shocked. I still can't believe it. Condolences to his wife Nina and family. He will be sorely missed.
Joe

Al is second from the left standing in this 1986  photograph of 17 of us Collectors / Bow Hunters.

Probably not many Trad Gangers can put a name with every face of these 30 and 40 year old bowmen. Have many fond memories of this week long hunt.

Note Al is the only guy who did not put his bow down for the photograph... He probably wanted to make sure it did not get hijacked. There were several pranksters in the group.

I was just starting to know him.I sended me,a week ago,a mail sayng he was going to the hospital and altrough he was in a hurry he took the time to replay.Prayers for a great person,my condolences to the family.Felix

Al was always quick to respond to emails and questions-he must have had all kinds of people after a slice of his time or expertise-but he never let that get in the way. Greay guy! What a shock.

Still stunned to hear of Al's passing.I've known Al for as long as I've been collecting Bear stuff.He was always so nice to talk to and shared so much of his knowledge.I finally got to meet Al in person last summer at the Compton shoot and see some of his collection.Here are a couple of pics I had from that shoot that I scanned.The trad community has lost one of it's gems.First pic is Al with my son Cody.
 
Al and myself.
 

wow, sad day. I never knew him but had read some of his articles and seen some videos of him. I definately admired his thirst for knowlege and willingness to share.

Hats off to an extraordinary man.Thank You very much Al for sharing with me and many many others your knowledge & enthusiasum for Bear Archery & collecting in general.I will never forget being invited to your house on the couple occasions and being allowed to fondle all the cool bows especially the LEFTIES which I happen to be as well as Al.Sharing the booth 2 years ago at Denton is etched in my mind as well as a few weeks ago sitting side by side with you eating dinner with the other New Jersey bowhunters.Your memory will live on.Seems like just yesterday we met in Saugerties,NY for the game dinner/archery shoot ,but it was close to 20 years ago.

              Rest in peace

Prayers go out to Al & his family.He was a fantastic person.He will truly be missed.

Al has helped Sue & I many times over the years in our collecting venture. We will miss him dearly. Our condolences to his family.

 Mike & Sue Shaw