Celebrating a great man's vigorous life: Rev. Stacy Groscup

Autumn in West Virginia is a beautiful time. The hot, humid days of summer slowly give way to cooler days and crisp fall nights. The woods comes alive with brilliant hues of reds, oranges, and yellows. It's a time of letting go as those same leaves begin their ascent onto the forest floor. Like life, the seasons represent a circle, never changing and never ending. In the Spring life in the forest will begin anew.

It is with a heavy heart that I write that West Virginia native Rev. Stacy Groscup passed away in the wee hours this morning. Around 1 AM on September 20th, 2005 he left behind a frail body that his spirit, energy, and intellect had worn out during his 84 years here.

Like Teddy Roosevelt, Stacy had great stamina and lived a vigorous life until the very end. He was never sick until about 8 weeks ago when a heart attack required him to have five bypasses. From that point on Stacy's life was an uphill battle with several setbacks. However, he made the most of it until the very end. As a matter of fact, his last words were sharing hunting stories from days gone by with old friends.

Stacy taught me that life, like the seasons, was a circle. A never ending circle. My Christian faith tells me that Stacy's body was worn frail by his recent illness but that his spirit/soul is now in Heaven.

Stacy Groscup was larger than life and was a legend in the archery world. However he was a humble man who'd fished with the President of the United States, spoke and performed in front of thousands, and yet always had time to speak to a child or a stranger.

His warm smile, gentle manner and outspoken kindness were his trademarks. He touched people. He had lived a full and rich life, surrounded in the end by his loving wife and family.

I am convinced Stacy was content in the way his life had played out. He had been a mentor and friend to so many, and will always be loved and remembered for his generous spirit and his wisdom.

In days to come I am sure there will be articles, stories and tales told of this great man and his accomplishments with a bow and arrow and in the other arenas in which he excelled. However, this evening I am focusing on the man and will in due time write down some anecdotes, tales and remembrances from our days together afield and on stage. His story and mine are connected, since his father Baptized my father when he was born and Stacy tossed the first aerial target I ever shot at.

Stacy never told anyone he was a preacher or a Christian. Like Jesus, you could see it in the way he carried himself, treated those around him, and lived his life. His actions told you what kind of a man he was. He went through his time here on earth doing good.

Having lived with the Indians during his days in seminary while doing a research project on their religion, Stacy learned great respect for these people and their customs and religion. He often emphasized that these were a moral, religious people that had great respect for our earth and for each other. He often spoke of the Indian's contributions to our modern day world. I know he admired the way they utilized all of any animal that they harvested.

Many times I heard him speak of the circle and it's symbolism to the Indian. Life, he taught, was a never ending circle to those that had faith. Love was also a never ending circle. He also taught me the meaning of the word, "Sti-ute". This phrase meant "be strong". Morally, physically, and mentally strong.

In closing, I am reminded of the story about ISHI and Saxton Pope when ISHI was on his deathbed. He said to Pope, "I go, you stay.." While saying goodbye is never easy, it is a relief to know that Stacy's soul is no longer limited to the frail, weak body that he'd worn out by 84 years of adventures from a vigorous lifestyle.

Stacy had an ISHI bow in his collection so this is a fitting way to close a tribute to my friend, my "second father" as he often called himself, and the best instinctive archer our sport has known. While he will be missed I will see to it that his name is never forgotten as long as I have strength to speak and pull a bow string. I rarely do a stage show or media interview without mentioning his name. I have never minded playing second fiddle to this great man.