Reel Women-Reel Men of Indianapolis

Fly Fishing Club for Men and Women

Who we are:

contact: Patti Beasley-President

317.627.1164

HOT OFF THE PRESS:

It is with great sadness that we inform you of this great loss. Thank-you Rusty for your devotion and passion for life and conservation. We will surely miss you.

from the Anglers of the Au Sable

The Au Sable just lost the best friend it ever had. Calvin “Rusty” Gates Jr., Da Gator to his legion of acquaintances, passed away on 19 December 2009. Things in this beautiful valley will never be the same.

Once in a lifetime there is someone that touches your life in so many ways. Rusty Gates was one of those people. His spirit and tenacity had an affect on everyone involved in environmental causes, from hikers to hunters to the many of us who came here to cast a fly far and fine. He was a fighter and it was the good fight that he chose to engage; catch and release on the Holy Waters, National Guard noise pollution on the North Branch, oil wells on the South Branch, and toxic chemicals on the Big Water. Da Gator led the way. A tap on the shoulder, a glance from those blue/grey eyes, a short conversation; that was usually all it took. We set to our tasks with a brio, partly from the cause, partly not to let him down.

He had all the connections and could accomplish more in a phone call than anyone else could do in six months of work. Where would we be without him these last 20 plus years?

A man of character and courage, he brought both, as well as his wry sense of humor, to his final battle. In the end, only his body gave out, Rusty’s spirit remained indomitable.

Rusty Gates has left us as a leader, but left a legacy as big as the river. The vigilance that he began will go on!

Public Visitation will be 2-4pm and 6-8pm on Tuesday, 22 December 2009 at the Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home, 1108 West North Down River Road, Grayling, MI 49738 (phone 989-348-2951)

There will be an additional visitation from 11am-1pm on Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, 23 December 2009.
Location: Grayling St. Mary's Catholic Church, 708 Peninsular Ave, Grayling, MI 49738
Time: 1pm with a luncheon to follow.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Anglers or Heartland Hospice, 417 W. Houghton Street E, West Branch, MI 48661.

To make a contribution to the Anglers:

1. Go to the Anglers website: www.ausableanglers.com
2. At the top menu go to the "Membership" pull down menu
3. The last option is "Make a Donation"
4. There is an option for a memorial gift "In Honor Of"

The second option is to send a check with a notation that this is a memorial gift. Send to: Anglers of the Au Sable, 403 Black Bear Dr., Grayling, MI 49738