[41 MagFan]

Rest in Peace sir. Prayers sent for the family and friends.

 

[pahoytman]

Will miss you on here Gentle Ben. Long time member since Aug. 16, 2007 within the neighborhood of 9,729 posts. R.I.P.

 

[jarentz]

Rest in Peace He can hunt he big sky now!!

 

[Fleroo]

I bought something from Ben, can't remember what it was as of now ? Seemed like a very good soul. Rest in Peace.

 

[timberdoodle]

Rest in peace sir.

 

[bpottorff]

Bought an ithaca 66 from him, and later took the beagles out and rabbit hunted in his area. He was a wise man.

 

[kswiggy]

RIP Gentle Ben...I will remember his gracious offers here on HPA for those looking for a place to hunt . A true sportsman indeed.

 

[huntinlandscaper]

Sincere condolences to all Dicks family and friends. Unfortunately the only year I could make his Flinter hunt it was cancelled due to extreme cold. Talked to him on the phone a few times and he seemed like a fine gentleman. Rest in Peace Sir!

 

[pappybear]

I was always impressed with his willingness to share his camp with fellow HPA members. RIP Gentle Ben.

 

[Lackawanna Fox]

What a shame
Enjoyed his thoughtful posts
I met him on a striper trip an all around good guy
Rip

 

[Reknew1988]

Hate to see this…he always opened up to all members, not many do that anymore. Great man and always looked forward to his flinter stories. RIP.

 

[5chunter]

Met him once when I went to look at a truck he had for sale. He was a good guy and I’m sure a fun one to hunt with. Rest In Peace old friend.

 

[Black Labs]

Met him a while back really great guy prayers for the family.

 

[Bowhunter862C]

Very sad to hear RIP Gentle Ben.

 

[octagon]

I will really miss Dick. I have hunted with and stayed with him many times over the years. We had a blast. I only switched hunting closer to home a year ago, because it was much closer, but always appreciated what he did for me. I will miss Dick, his dog Lucy and all the good times we had. As a side, he just lost his beloved bassett hound Lucy not long before he passed. They are both hunting bunnies in Heaven!

 

[steelhead125]

Very sad news . Seemed like a great man . Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

 

[outofstater]

Very saddened to hear this. My old camp was about 20 minutes from him. I contacted him via of this site when I found out he was close. We sat up a hunt about 5 years ago and I could not believe first visiting him what for out going person he was. He liked the idea of sharing a hunt. He built a bunk house to house hunters and would invite anyone to come and enjoy a hunt. Then he would go to someone elses place for the same thing. What a great idea. We decided for him and his group to come over to my place I had a lot of adjoining state forest. It was a great day with the flintlock I was disappointed we didn't get any shots but had fun. Was around him a few more times and we would have phone conversation at times. To my knowledge I think he told me he worked in the coal mines and he was never married. Dick was all about how we should be as sportsman end enjoy the hunt. RIP my friend.

 

[Acorn20]

Man, you talk about a guy that loved his dog. Dick sure loved Lucy and that dog loved Dick. The way she'd great him when he was away for the day and would follow him around seeking attention. I was concerned about Lucy's wellbeing until I read Octagon's post and learned that she had died shortly before Dick died. I was relieved that she wasn't laying around somewhere awaiting Dick's return.

 

[DVD]

We knew him as Gentle Ben, and most all knew him as a good man who would share whatever he could with other sportsmen. I remember he put open invitations on here for people to come stay at his place and camp, and do organized (somewhat) Flintlock hunts.
He will be missed by many, I'm sure, and by us here at HPA.
RIP Gentle Ben.

ClearvilleRichard C. Eckman Jr., 74, of Clearville, passed away on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021.
He was born Monday, Nov. 17, 1947, in Johnstown, PA, a son of the late Richard C. Eckman Sr. and Edna M. (Ingold) Eckman.
Although he didn’t have any siblings, he considered his friend, Frank Folb, a brother.
Richard graduated from Greater Johnstown High School in 1965. After graduation, he worked for Kennametal for many years until his retirement.
He enjoyed hunting with all of his buddies from Canada and loved his Basset Hound, Lucy. Richard was also a very giving man. He would always help his neighbors with mowing, plowing snow, and whatever else needed done.
Friends and family may share memories online at www.donelsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Donelson Funeral Home LLC, Everett, PA.

https://www.bedfordgazette.com/obituaries/richard-c-eckman-jr/article_cdcfb4ce-6f33-5d8e-ab60-0e255eeddbc2.html

RIP

 

[Springer Rage]

That's a shame. I remember him from this site and he was always informative and helpful. Life is too short. RIP, Ben