Mike H
Well-known member
I am very sad to report that Steve McFarland (KAGGR#1 here) passed away on Thursday, 29 January. Steve was suffering from various health issues for quite a while.
I first met Steve in 1994 when I met him at his house to buy some display cabinets. He had them custom made for his collection but was no longer in need. I was not into Imperial collecting at that time but was overwhelmed by what he had then. We saw each other, off and on over the years at the Show of Shows in Louisville but became closer once I started Imperial collecting in recent years. I was very, very lucky to live near him, making seeing him personally very easy as well as frequent. I made dozens of trips to his home over the past five years. It was always a treat -- not only to see his collection but to listen to his vast collection of memories, stories, and experiences. He also sent me in the right direction for my first Pickelhaube purchase (a Baden Pionier that is still one of my favorites). I knew very little about Imperial items at the time but he was a constant source of information.
He also steered me to this Forum and I was amazed, over these years, at the number of posts he made and pictures he provided us. He was always inquisitive and willing to learn and to share. We will sorely miss him here.
I saw him just a few days before Show of Shows and he tasked me with buying a couple of books for him there, which I did. Sadly, I was never able to deliver them.
My condolences to all of his many friends and acquaintances in the hobby.
Mike
I first met Steve in 1994 when I met him at his house to buy some display cabinets. He had them custom made for his collection but was no longer in need. I was not into Imperial collecting at that time but was overwhelmed by what he had then. We saw each other, off and on over the years at the Show of Shows in Louisville but became closer once I started Imperial collecting in recent years. I was very, very lucky to live near him, making seeing him personally very easy as well as frequent. I made dozens of trips to his home over the past five years. It was always a treat -- not only to see his collection but to listen to his vast collection of memories, stories, and experiences. He also sent me in the right direction for my first Pickelhaube purchase (a Baden Pionier that is still one of my favorites). I knew very little about Imperial items at the time but he was a constant source of information.
He also steered me to this Forum and I was amazed, over these years, at the number of posts he made and pictures he provided us. He was always inquisitive and willing to learn and to share. We will sorely miss him here.
I saw him just a few days before Show of Shows and he tasked me with buying a couple of books for him there, which I did. Sadly, I was never able to deliver them.
My condolences to all of his many friends and acquaintances in the hobby.
Mike
