11/25/2025
To hear the passing of this man stirs something within me. Russ Galpin was the oldest and longest, teaching hunter ed instructor in the state. I came on board under his guidance when I couldn't decide between teaching hunter education or NRA.
When he "passed the torch", I was uncertain of my abilities, still am many times. After a few rocky classes, he still commented it was a good class, then tell me about his own fumbles along the way.
His smile became more brilliant when I took over as Chief Instructor because he could enjoy teaching without the stress. His "Box of Possibilities" I treasure and will never look at the same. His lifetime is volumes of adventure.
RIP, ol' friend. Thank you isn't enough for what you taught me and the confidence you had when I didn't have my own.