Oregon PITA Hall of Fame Inductees

1995              Robert Dudley

Robert “Bob” Dudley, known to his trapshooting friends as “Ducking Arrow”, started shooting registered targets in 1947 and by 1994 he had registered 400,000 PITA targets.  In 1992 Bob had over 150,000 ATA targets.  He was inducted into the Oregon ATA Hall of Fame in 1991 having won three State Singles Championships and one State Doubles Championship.

From 1950 on, Bob was a constant winner at the Oregon State PITA Championships and had many Grand Pacific wins.  Some of his major wins include:

            1950     Grand Pacific Handicap Champion

            1955     Grand Pacific Doubles Champion

            1955     Oregon State Doubles Champion

            1955     Oregon State High All Around

            1956     Oregon State Doubles Champion

            1960     Oregon State High All Around

            1968     Oregon State Singles Champion

            1983     Oregon State Veteran Singles Champion

            1985     Oregon State Veteran Singles Champion

            1987     Oregon State Veterans Handicap Champion

            1989     Grand Pacific High Over All Senior

Bob was also a member of the PITA All-Star Team in 1951, 1955, 1961, 1965, and 1990.

Bob Dudley has not only been a true sportsman and a great competitor, he is also known to lend a helping hand to any person or gun club in a time of need. It is people like Bob Dudley who make trapshooting a great sport.  The secret to Bob’s shooting success, and his advice to all shooters, is to always “Keep the wood on the wood!”.

1995              Frank M. Troeh

Frank Troeh shot from San Diego to British Columbia under all conditions.  In 1931, he shot 4,450 singles with an average of 98.15, and 2,100 handicap targets with an average of 91.61.

In 1931, Frank made 13 long runs ranging from 103 to 217 and completed 100,000 targets with an average of over 97%.

In 1931, Frank shot 3,950 singles with an average of 98.30 and 2,300 handicap targets with an average of 91.43.  He also had the PITA doubles high average based on 870 targets with a 91.14.

In 1934 he set a PITA handicap record with 348 straight and was also high average leader in singles, handicap and doubles.

In 1935, Frank had a 99.05 average on 2,000 singles, a 94.58 average on 850 handicap and a 92.85 average on 616 doubles.

In 1939 it was written that Frank Troeh’s average in handicap shooting had never been equaled in the history of trapshooting.  In that same year, Frank won all four championship events at the Oregon State Shoot: singles, handicap, doubles and HAA.  It was the first time any shooter won all four championship events at any one state shoot.

The records set by Frank were unheard of at the time and some of them have yet to be duplicated.  His averages and numerous wins continued until his last registered targets in 1959.

1996          Gordon & Dolly Hull

The Hull’s were the Executive and Assistant Secretary of the PITA for 23 years, longer than any other individuals in those positions.  During their time they helped the PITA grow from a poor, relatively weak organization into a prominent organization with sizable reserves and operating capital.  They visited many clubs, large and small to promote the PITA and registered shooting.

Gordon and Dolly operated the PITA office in a very efficient and timely manner with yearbooks and programs out early even though all posting was done by hand and all typing with a manual typewriter.

They were always anxious to help shooters, club managers, and state and provincial association officers.  They were knowledgeable about all aspects of shooting, trap operation and setting, cashiering and rules.  They provided their knowledge to any who needed it with a gracious smile.  Those who shot while the Hulls were in office would surely agree that when anyone thought of PITA, they thought of the Hulls.

1996          Gerald Smallwood

      Gerald started shooting in 1967 with first year averages of:

                  Singles:            96.71

                  Handicap:         91.78

                  Doubles:           84.21

At the time of Gerald’s induction into the Hall of Fame, he had been a member of the All-Star Team for 25 consecutive years, he had registered over 300,000 PITA targets, and had shot fifteen 100 straights in doubles.

Gerald registered the most targets of any member of the PITA in the years of 1978, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1995.  He averaged over 12,000 combined targets per year for 11 years with an overall average of 95.44.

Over the years at the Oregon State Championships he has accumulated eleven championship titles, 28 class wins and over 40 runner-up trophies.

Gerald was Vice President of the PITA and served as a Director of the Oregon State Trapshooting Association for many years.  Gerald is a hardworking, dedicated person who will help set traps, handicap shooters, run shoot-offs and help with anything to make a shoot run smoothly.  Gerald Smallwood is the kind of person the PITA Hall of Fame was created to recognize.

1996              Daro Handy

Anyone that has ever heard of trapshooting has heard of Daro Handy.  Daro is one of the most controversial and talented trapshooters this sport has ever known.

Daro was in the Air Force for over four years and during that time he won the European Championships and the Cup of Nations.  Daro was the only American to have won these titles.  Since his discharge he has registered over 500,000 targets.  At the time of his induction, Daro had broken over forty 100 straights and a long run of 505 in handicap, had over thirty five 100 straights in doubles and a long run of 1,200 in singles. Daro was on the All-Star team for 24 consecutive years and had been Captain 15 times.

Among Daro’s many titles are 18 championships at the Grand Pacific and over 43 Oregon State Championship titles.  In 1990, he won all five championship events (singles, handicap, doubles, HOA, and HAA) at the Oregon State Shoot.

In 1963 Daro received seven yardage punches for known ability while never winning a handicap.  He would have broken five more 100 straights in handicap, but missed his 100^th target each time.

If there is anyone in the world of trapshooting that deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, it is Daro Handy.

1997              Louise Siemens

Louise started shooting registered targets in 1967 at the Bend Trap Club.  At the time of her induction she had shot over 135,000 registered PITA targets and had been on the All-Star team 8 times.  Louise has won numerous titles including over 70 wins at major shoots.  In addition to the many Ladies Championships in all events, she was the Grand Pacific Handicap Champion in 1971 with 99x100 and was the first lady to break 100 straight from the 27 yard line in registered competition.

Some of Louise’s achievements include Oregon State Ladies Singles Champion 1971-1972-1974-1977-1979-1982-1986-1987 and 1989.  Oregon State Ladies Doubles Champion in 1995 and 1996 and High Over All in 1987, 1989 and 1996.

Louise was a director of both Oregon and Nevada Trapshooting Associations and is a Life Member of the PITA.

1998              Ray Yasui

Ray Yasui was born in Hood River, Oregon and lived there all his life.  Ray had a very successful orchard business in the Hood River Valley.  He and his wife, Mikie, raised three children: Joan, Thomas and Philip.  Ray was also very proud of his five grandchildren.

Ray was Chairman of the Board of the Diamond Fruit Growers of Hood River, on the Board of the Northwest Cherry Growers and on the Board of Directors for Oregon AAA.  He was appointed to the Oregon Board of Higher Education by Mark Hatfield, Governor of Oregon.  Ray was also the founder of the Hood River - Tsurata Sister City Association and co-founder of the Hood River Youth Baseball Association.  He was elected to the Oregon State University Agricultural Hall of Fame.  Ray was awarded the Seventh Degree Medal by the Emperor of Japan for promoting US and Japanese relations.  He was also the founder of the Hood River High School Scholarship Fund.  His local activities included the Fire Department, Japanese-American Citizens League and scholarship fundraising.  One of Ray’s biggest honors was when the local hospital named the new dialysis center after him.

Ray served as President of the PITA from 1964 through 1966 and was a member of the Central Handicap Committee in 1961-1962-1963-1969-1970-1971 and 1972.

At the time of his induction, Ray had shot 200,000 targets.  Ray had a passion for life and a commitment to his family, his orchards, his community and the PITA.  Ray considered the PITA his baby.  Much like his orchards, he enjoyed nurturing it and watching it grow.  The main reason the PITA Hall of Fame was started was to honor dedicated people like Mr. Ray Yasui.

2002              Bert Fanning

Bert started shooting PITA targets in 1966.  He progressed rapidly and was on the 27 yard line by 1969.  Bert has been on the All-Star team seven times.  His averages were high enough to be on the team many more times but he lacked sufficient targets in one or more categories.  Bert was not able to attend several State shoots and Grand Pacific’s because of his position as labor manager with Willamette Industries.  Even so, Bert has shot at over 120,000 registered PITA targets.

Bert has many 100 straights and has them in all events.  In 1978 the Executive Secretary noted in the yearbook that Bert had five wins from the 27 yard line, nine 100 straights in the singles and his first 100 straight in doubles for the year.  In 1981 Bert became the second shooter to break 100 straight from the 27 yard line in Oregon.  Bert has served as President of the Salem Gun Club and was instrumental in the move from downtown Salem to the location north of town in the 1970’s.  Bert is one of the few PITA shooters to complete the Grand Slam.

At the time of his induction, Bert had 35 wins at the Oregon State Shoot, 12 Oregon State Championships, many wins at the Grand Pacific including HOA in 1991 and the Doubles Championship in 1995.  Bert is one of the most consistent shooters in the PITA with an overall average of 94.34 from 1979 through 2000.

2002              Gary Fogelson

Gary began his shooting career in 1978 when active members of the Cottage Grove Gun Club encouraged him.  Always an enthusiastic sportsman, he joined the club and began shooting registered PITA targets in 1980.  Gary won the first of his many Oregon State trophies the following year.  By watching and learning from other shooters, and with lots of hard work and practice, Gary made the 27 yard line in 1984.

In 1986 Gary made the PITA All-Star team for the first time and has been selected for the team every year since. He ranks among the men’s all-time leaders.

Gary  has given back to the sport he loves so much by serving two terms as the President of the Cottage Grove ~ Eugene Sportsmen’s Club and being active on the Board of Directors.  Gary has also served as a member of the Oregon State Trapshooting Association and has taught classes for new shooters and given instruction to help established shooters for more and 8 years now.

The US Olympic training staff contacted Gary to coach Lacy Holtz and Kyndra Hogan before their first Olympic training camp and he was invited to participate in coaching Junior Olympic shooters at Colorado Springs.

Gary has shot over 120 one hundred straights and about 20 two hundred straights in singles and also has several hundred straights in doubles.

Gary has registered over 100,000 PITA targets and has a long list of wins at the Oregon State Shoot, the Grand Pacific, and many other shoots both large and small.

Gary has demonstrated the ability to compete at the highest level and has also proved his appreciation and promotion of the sport by his service to others. 

2002              Del Jeske

Del began shooting at the Cottage Grove Gun Club in 1963.  To date, he has shot over 150,000 PITA targets.  In 1968, Del made the 27 yard line.  Prior to that, in 1967, Del made the PITA All-Star team for the first time and has accomplished this feat 8 more times since.  Del has also been Captain of the Veteran’s All-Star Team twice.  Del has many wins at the PITA Grand Pacific and the Oregon State Shoot, as well as a number of other shoots.  Del has shot AA-27-A since 1968.

Two events that stand out in Del’s shooting career are shooting with Dan Orlich on his 400x400 squad and his first Oregon State Singles Championship win in 1966.  Del’s backer record is also outstanding especially when teamed with Art Gwinn, Bob Bounds, or Carrell Whitehead.

Over the years Del has served on a number of gun club boards:

·        Cottage Grove for 15 years

·        Salem for 4 years

·        Bend for 4 years

·        Oregon State Trapshooting Association for 3 years

Del served as the President for one year each on the Salem and OSTA boards.

Over the years, Del has assisted many a new young shooter.  He gives of his knowledge freely and enjoys seeing young shooters progress.  Del’s philosophy is: If you help a new shooter get started you will never have a bad shoot – one of them will almost always have a win.

Del’s major partner through the years had been Doloras.  She has been a silent partner, without whom Del would not have achieved his present status.

2003              Gary Morlan

What set this man apart from other shooters who have great shooting accomplishments was his affection for fellow shooters and the unrelenting desire to contribute of himself.  Gary kept involved in creatively helping his community or a gun club that needed a little incentive, guidance or spark.  The energy that emanated from him was truly remarkable, and even more remarkable was the contagiousness of the good he accomplished.  If Gary was leading a project, you can bet there were some enthusiastic followers.

At the Toledo VFW Trap Range, where he was very involved, he organized fun and meat shoots for the benefit of local charities and families, raising thousands of dollars that went directly to those in need.  Gary truly made every moment count toward whatever project or goal he was working on.  His enthusiasm for life and jovial spirit filtered down to all those having the pleasure of being around him.

Gary was born in 1933 to George and Mary Morlan of Portland, Oregon, the founders of George Morlan Plumbing.  He served in the National Guard, the Navy during the Korean War, and the Air Force.  He also worked as a police officer in Atwater, CA.  As you can see, his past history shows the same dedication to mankind as we knew him for during his trapshooting career.

Gary’s passion for trapshooting took on a life of its own when he and his wife Leone moved to Newberg.  This is where he was tagged “Marathon Man” because his sights were set on breaking records.  To quote Gary “Records Shall Be Broken”, and indeed they were.

At age 69, Gary began setting records in the PITA by shooting 3,500 targets in one day, 13,700 targets in one week, 22,500 targets in one month, and 132,300 targets in one year.  His goal to be the first to shoot 500,000 registered PITA targets was accomplished shortly before his death in 2004.

Gary’s dream to see the Oregon State PITA Shoot again held at the Hillsboro Trap & Skeet Club was also accomplished in 2004.  Gary, along with others, worked and solicited diligently to get that club back on its feet.  As a result, the 2004 Oregon State Shoot held in Hillsboro was a huge success.  All who attended felt his presence, especially when a squad of his close friends fired their final shots of salute to this powerful friend and humanitarianism.

For those who knew Gary, all would say they were truly blessed and inspired by him.  For those who did not know him, perhaps you will meet him at the trap range his is preparing for us at this very moment.  A huge void is felt by the loss of Gary.

2006              Chuck Curtis

Chuck was born in 1920 and raised not a mile from where he currently lives in Harrisburg, Oregon.  During his teen years, he and his brother Dean, along with their dog Pat, started hunting birds.  It was not at all unusual for chuck and his close friends to leave school at lunch time to hunt pheasants and ducks.  Over the years, Chuck has been an avid hunter as well as a trapshooter.

Chuck and his wife, Donna, his constant companion, were married for 54 years and raised two daughters, Gloria and Shirley.  In the mid-1940’s, he started farming bluegrass and developing equipment to harvest the very small seed.  In the 1970’s he was greatly involved in the Tee-to-Green Association which developed a type of golf course grass seed.

Although Chuck began shooting 50 years ago, his trapshooting career started in the 1970’s.  He has shot targets from Florida to Alaska and from Hawaii to Arizona.  He became a PITA life member in 1973 and over the years has been an active supporter of the organization at the executive and state levels.  Chuck served on the PITA Executive Board from 1977 to 1982 in numerous capacities, including the presidency in 1983 and 1984.  At the state level, Chuck served as a board member and was President of the Oregon State Trapshooting Association in 1981.  To date, Chuck has shot over 250,000 PITA targets.

Highlights of Chuck’s career include:

·        His first handicap win at the Cottage Grove Gun Club in 1963.  He broke a 99 from the 21 yard line.

·        Shot his first 100 straight from the 16 yard line in 1979.

·        Attained the 27 yard line in 1976 at the Vancouver Gun Club.

·        Broke his first 100 straight in doubles in 1982 at the Roseburg Gun Club.

·        He was Grand Pacific Doubles Veteran Champion in 1986 and 1988.

·        Many Grand Pacific wins in the Senior, Veteran, and Elder categories.

·        Numerous Oregon State wins in all three disciplines.

·        Chuck attained a position on the PITA All - Star Veterans Team in 1989, 1990, and 1992.

·        A major contributor to the Cottage Grove~Eugene Sportsmen’s Club.

Despite all the awards and honor Chuck has racked up over the years, he considers the greatest prize to be the hundreds of dear friends he has made during his shooting career and while traveling.  He is especially thankful for Virginia, his shooting, hunting, and traveling companion.

2007 Jack Leonard

• Made the 27 yard line in 1972

• Hit the 50,000 target milestone in 1972

• Hit the 100,000 target milestone in 1992

• Numerous wins at the Oregon State Championships and the Grand Pacific

• PITA All Star Team 5 times

Jack appreciates the honor of being inducted into the PITA Hall of Fame and we welcome him.