Bob Morrison, a prominent 50-year veteran of the shooting sports industry who served as President and CEO of Taurus USA and held executive positions with Smith & Wesson, Colt, U.S. Repeating Arms, and Bianchi Holsters, passed away June 10, 2026. A West Point graduate and U.S. Army officer, Morrison was dedicated to Second Amendment advocacy through the NRA and NSSF.
William Woodrow Hicks, Founder and CEO of Bill Hicks & Co., Ltd., a wholesale distributor for the shooting sports industry in Minneapolis, MN, passed away on May 28, 2026. He built his business over 57 years from a basement operation into a successful distributorship, leaving a legacy continued by his family.
Capstone Precision Group and Team Lapua USA announce the passing of Steve Reiter on May 18, 2026, an accomplished competitive pistol shooter with 34 National Championship titles and 63 National Records. Reiter was a founding Team Lapua USA member since 2009 and the first Quadruple Distinguished Marksman under the CMP.
Ducks Unlimited announces the passing of acclaimed wildlife artist David Maass at age 96. A five-time DU Artist of the Year and pioneer in wildlife art, Maass designed 38 duck and conservation stamps while raising millions for conservation through his work with Wild Wings and other organizations.
Lee Hoots, a respected editor of Rifle and Handloader magazines at Wolfe Publishing and former editor of Guns & Ammo, died February 6, 2026, at age 57 due to early-onset dementia. He had a 30+ year career in outdoor publishing with Western Outdoor News, Outdoor Sportsmen Group, and Petersen's Publishing.
Dennis Highby, former Cabela's CEO who joined the company in 1976 and led it to become a $4 billion outdoor retailer, passed away February 26 at age 76. Highby was instrumental in Cabela's growth, IPO in 2004, and was credited by industry leaders like Gary Loomis and Tim Leatherman for launching their success.
The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation mourns former Congressman Richard T. "Dick" Schulze, who founded the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and CSF in 1989 with co-founder Congressman Lindsay Thomas. Schulze, 96, was a decorated veteran, conservationist, and advocate for sportsmen's policy who received CSF's highest honor, the Dingell-Young Award, in 2023.
Evernham & Associates founder Michael Boyd Evernham, 80, died Friday, January 9, 2026 in Fishers, Indiana. A longtime industry figure, Evernham held positions with Simmons Gun Specialties and Winchester-Olin before founding Evernham & Associates in 1983. A renowned shotgunner, Evernham was inducted into the Indiana Trapshooters Hall of Fame in 2020.
The International Society of Aboriculture Michigan marks with sadness the passing of longtime ISA Michigan member and friend Paul Swartz. Paul was a campus arborist at Michigan State University from 1989 to 2018.