View Full Version : Louis Awerbuck passes away.
Seeing multiple posts on facebook saying he has passed away. Not sure how or when. Rest easy Mr. Awerbuck.
Edit: Confirmed, hearing he committed suicide after some sort of illness.
SeriousStudent
06-24-14, 19:18
I am very sad to hear of this. I have his shotgun book, and learned a lot from it.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends - of which there are many.
He was a outstanding shotgun instructor. I also really enjoyed his articles in SWAT magazine. The community will definitely miss him.
From what I saw on bookface is he came home from the hospital, went outside and shot himself.
Sad day for all.
Rest In Peace
Quiet Riot
06-24-14, 20:36
He was scheduled to do some training near me in early June but had to cancel due to health issues just weeks before. The notice sent on the 9th of May said that he was suffering bouts of severe dizziness and vertigo, but was expected to fully recover with treatment. No other details were given.
...then I saw all of the posts on Facebook, and I'm sad. This is horrible news. Louis Awerbuck was my first "tactical" instructor ever, setting the standard by which I judge all other instructors.
This guy could make you crap your pants just by looking at you- no joke- I have never met a more steely-eyed guy in my life, but he absolutely earned it. Behind that permanent I'm-in-no-mood-for-your-crap look was a fantastic and patient instructor who could sharpen the most HSLD operator and hand hold a willing newby in the same class.
I used to kid that he literally worked his butt off for his students (I had no idea how his pants stayed up), but he was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. While the students were resting or eating, he and Leigh would be hauling targets to prepare for the next phase of training. He also gave everyone under him as much one-on-one time as needed to progress, and by the end of a course, you'd feel like you made a friend.
He was also one of the few guys truly qualified from personal experience to teach tactical shotgun, and I was planning to take his class in September.
The gun world just lost a huge amount of experience, and we will all be less because of it.
Moose-Knuckle
06-24-14, 20:36
Damn.
Robb Jensen
06-24-14, 20:40
RIP Louis.
I have no words... RIP Louis...
Very sorry to hear this. I've taken several courses from Louis and always enjoyed them. I was scheduled for his carbine course early August. He was a character, but a great instructor and a fine man. I enjoyed his courses a lot. The shooting world is diminished by his death.
Dave-HuldraArms
06-25-14, 19:51
Echo all of your thoughts, just a huge loss and sad news. I hope Leigh is holding up ok.
I've been looking back on some fond memories with Louie and saying he was a character is an understatement :-). One year he told me he never laughs, so Mike and I made it our challenge to get him to laugh. By the end we got one chuckle and seeing Louie Awerbuck laugh is a sight you never forget. The guy just kept running and running at classes, telling me all he needed was black coffee and cigarettes. He was more than an instructor, but a teacher and mentor to his students in every sense of those words. I also laugh every time I hear "race gun." In some drills I used my competition pistol, Louis was interested and checked it out. He then on called it a "pimp gun" and ridiculed me for having such a pimp gun, lol.
Sorry for the rant, just sharing some memories that maybe will bring a smile to others. Remembering how he lived is his legacy, his knowledge passed on ensures he won't be forgotten.
You will be missed Louie, rest in peace.
SeriousStudent
06-25-14, 20:11
I found this somewhere else. It's an interview with Mr. Awerbuck, and I think it's a good read.
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/louis-awerbuck-the-exception-to-the-rule/
Quiet Riot
06-26-14, 05:30
Steve Fogleman sent out an email with more information about Louis Awerbuck's sad passing:
"Friends and Fellow Shooters:
Unfortunately, I must tell you that my good friend Louis Awerbuck died yesterday. Most of you knew him and understood his contributions to the shooting community, and I regret not being able to bring some of you to his class for the first time.
The details are slim, but last Christmas he had an operation to repair a damaged disc in the back. He was given a great deal of cortisone for the pain that affected his adrenal glands giving him debilitating vertigo. We hoped this was correctable and that a specialist would be able to restore him. Apparently not. For anyone who knew him, he was not one to wither away and not be productive. Yesterday he took his own life living and dying on his own terms without compromise. May God bless you my friend and shooting sensei.
Rather than look at his final days, it is more appropriate to remember how he lived as we knew him. He was uncompromising in his beliefs and dedication to his training his students. as Jeff Cooper said, he was more interested in the accomplishments of his students than his own accomplishments—very rare in today’s ego-centric society. Recently he told me he would not instruct if he could not be his 100% for those taking YFA classes. He had strong beliefs but was absolutely dedicated to giving folks a positive and useful experience in training. We spoke for hours about guns and politics in the fashion of senior curmudgeons--wonderful.
Louis was serious about his craft and had a great sense of humor which he displayed effectively. He never was too critical nor “over coached” you when training, and he endeavored to have all end the day or course on a positive note.
He was an old world artisan teaching a timeless and necessary skill in a new world in need of such a man. Most of all he was a gentleman, kind to all who deserved kindness. He was a man, a good and brave man.
Let us remember him and Leigh who needs some quiet time in our thoughts and prayers.
Rest in peace, my friend, Louis.
Steve"
Straight Shooter
06-26-14, 07:04
AWESOME READ INDEED SeriousStudent. THANKS for posting that. Much of that sounds like me talking.
Wow. What a shitty deal. :(
Echo all of your thoughts, just a huge loss and sad news. I hope Leigh is holding up ok.
I've been looking back on some fond memories with Louie and saying he was a character is an understatement :-). One year he told me he never laughs, so Mike and I made it our challenge to get him to laugh. By the end we got one chuckle and seeing Louie Awerbuck laugh is a sight you never forget. The guy just kept running and running at classes, telling me all he needed was black coffee and cigarettes. He was more than an instructor, but a teacher and mentor to his students in every sense of those words. I also laugh every time I hear "race gun." In some drills I used my competition pistol, Louis was interested and checked it out. He then on called it a "pimp gun" and ridiculed me for having such a pimp gun, lol.
Sorry for the rant, just sharing some memories that maybe will bring a smile to others. Remembering how he lived is his legacy, his knowledge passed on ensures he won't be forgotten.
You will be missed Louie, rest in peace.
I remember a course where the organizer misspoke, accidently introducing him as being part of the "South American" Special Forces unit. That was good for a laugh that went on for the next three days.
Rest in peace Mr. Awerbuck.
The loss of another great man and mentor to many.
May his legacy carry-on through his many students, and followers.
P.S. I too will miss his SWAT articles, and other works. If you have never read Mr. Awerbuck's writings it is a worthwhile investment of your time.
titsonritz
06-26-14, 11:26
RIP Louis.
http://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com/2014/06/in-memoriam-louis-awerbuck.html
Moose-Knuckle
06-26-14, 14:43
I found this somewhere else. It's an interview with Mr. Awerbuck, and I think it's a good read.
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/louis-awerbuck-the-exception-to-the-rule/
RIP Louis.
http://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com/2014/06/in-memoriam-louis-awerbuck.html
Good reads. When I first heard what happend this is exactly why I think he what he did.
Q: What do you fear most in life?
LA: Probably physical incapacitation, if I were cognizant of it. Dependency, physical dependency, and being cognizant of it. Having Alzheimer’s and knowing I’ve got Alzheimer’s and not being able to [pauses] end it. That’s it. I don’t fear anything else because … Mr. Roosevelt said, “There’s nothing to fear but fear itself.” I don’t want to be dependent on anybody else. There is nothing else.
Good reads. When I first heard what happend this is exactly why I think he what he did.
Q: What do you fear most in life?
LA: Probably physical incapacitation, if I were cognizant of it. Dependency, physical dependency, and being cognizant of it. Having Alzheimer’s and knowing I’ve got Alzheimer’s and not being able to [pauses] end it. That’s it. I don’t fear anything else because … Mr. Roosevelt said, “There’s nothing to fear but fear itself.” I don’t want to be dependent on anybody else. There is nothing else.
I can understand his reasoning, but I think I'd have found a better way out. That's not how you want your loved ones to remember you.
bullittmcqueen
06-26-14, 16:18
Very sad news indeed. Our community has lost too many great ones lately.
Well he was a man of his word. Thats a rare trait these days.
Moose-Knuckle
06-26-14, 16:45
I can understand his reasoning, but I think I'd have found a better way out. That's not how you want your loved ones to remember you.
Mr. Awerbuck had no living relatives, he was the last of his blood line.
Mr. Awerbuck had no living relatives, he was the last of his blood line.
I wouldn't want any friends to have to think of me that way or possibly have to ID or find my body in such a state. I also don't know that I'd want such a violent exit, give me a bottle of pills, a nice warm bath and my favorite movie. I don't want to suggest anything negative about the guy, just not how I'd want to go out.
At least he knew how he wanted to live, and what conditions he'd find intolerable, and he was able to control that part of his life. Not always an easy thing to do.
SeriousStudent
06-27-14, 00:05
Rest in peace Mr. Awerbuck.
The loss of another great man and mentor to many.
May his legacy carry-on through his many students, and followers.
P.S. I too will miss his SWAT articles, and other works. If you have never read Mr. Awerbuck's writings it is a worthwhile investment of your time.
Much agree about his articles. He did have them published in three books: Tactical Reality, More Tactical Reality, and Hit or Myth. They are very much worth reading, and dog-eared copies are on my bookshelf, along with his Defensive Shotgun book.
Much agree about his articles. He did have them published in three books: Tactical Reality, More Tactical Reality, and Hit or Myth. They are very much worth reading, and dog-eared copies are on my bookshelf, along with his Defensive Shotgun book.
I never got in depth with defensive shotguns beyond understanding basic applications, but it sounds like some titles I should probably look into.
Moose-Knuckle
06-27-14, 03:34
I wouldn't want any friends to have to think of me that way or possibly have to ID or find my body in such a state. I also don't know that I'd want such a violent exit, give me a bottle of pills, a nice warm bath and my favorite movie. I don't want to suggest anything negative about the guy, just not how I'd want to go out.
At least he knew how he wanted to live, and what conditions he'd find intolerable, and he was able to control that part of his life. Not always an easy thing to do.
I look at it this way, an old warrior falling on his own sword. He mentioned Japanese philosophy in his writings and his view on life.
Speaking of his books, might I suggest to those who are interested:
Plowshares Into Swords: Musings of a Different Drummer
http://www.amazon.com/Plowshares-Into-Swords-Musings-Different/dp/1484038371/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403857961&sr=8-1&keywords=louis+awerbuck
Another patriarch of firearms trainers gone. Anyone who has not heard of, or read his material would be wise to do so.
polymorpheous
06-27-14, 06:05
RIP Louis.
:sad:
Louis "explaining" something to my buddy at a pistol course last year. He was big on individual attention. He once said the nicest thing a firearms trainer ever said to me...midway through the first day he came up behind me on the line and said "I don't want you to think that I'm ignoring you. I just haven't seen you screw up yet".
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t1.0-9/484632_4019743846272_264556701_n.jpg
and said "I don't want you to think that I'm ignoring you. I just haven't seen you screw up yet".
That's cool.
TacticalIntervention
06-27-14, 14:26
I have known Louis since early 1980's. He was the best weapons instructor I have ever met and just a good honest man. In the old days he would come to teach a class and stay at my home. My oldest daughter is named after Louis long time partner. I am so sorry that over the years we lost contact and only saw each other at the Shot Show. He will be missed. Health issues will break the strongest man and has many time. Rest in Peace Louis. See you in Valhalla
Moose-Knuckle
06-27-14, 14:53
He once said the nicest thing a firearms trainer ever said to me...midway through the first day he came up behind me on the line and said "I don't want you to think that I'm ignoring you. I just haven't seen you screw up yet".
You just won the internet!
A funny story told by Pat Rogers about Louis Awerbuck.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HvQJtqv5ZFs
Dave-HuldraArms
06-27-14, 23:12
I remember a course where the organizer misspoke, accidently introducing him as being part of the "South American" Special Forces unit. That was good for a laugh that went on for the next three days.
South American, South Australian, heck it may have even been South Alabaman by the end of the course. He was pretty cool about it and didn't let me forget it. We had a lot of good laughs that class.
LMAO
Thanks for that man.
A funny story told by Pat Rogers about Louis Awerbuck.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HvQJtqv5ZFs
KingsideRook
06-28-14, 12:20
Darn it. I had always hoped to make it to an Awerbuck class. I enjoyed all three of his books, and made a point of reading his articles when I found them.
The world is poorer without him, and I wish I'd had the chance to learn more about his craft from him.
Can't fault him for how he went - on his own terms.
SeriousStudent
06-28-14, 23:54
I never got in depth with defensive shotguns beyond understanding basic applications, but it sounds like some titles I should probably look into.
They are worth the investment of time and capital, in my very humble opinion. They are one of those books that make you stop, go grab a highliter and pencil, and start making notes in the margins. I only have a few other firearms books like those. Many of the others books get read, and then ideas get scribbled in the range notebook to test.
John Hearne (another member here) said something that really hit home about Mr. Awerbuck's passing. "When an old man dies, a library burns."
My father - a Marine vet via Saipan and Tarawa - did basically the same thing. His health caught up with him (and probably a long-smoldering dose of WWII PTSD) - and he wasn't going to die a slow death as he had seen with his father. I still remember having to scrub the blood off of the garage floor. All that notwithstanding - I admire him to this day. I hope I have the strength to do the same, under similar conditions. YMMV.
John
montanadave
06-29-14, 08:01
My father - a Marine vet via Saipan and Tarawa - did basically the same thing. His health caught up with him (and probably a long-smoldering dose of WWII PTSD) - and he wasn't going to die a slow death as he had seen with his father. I still remember having to scrub the blood off of the garage floor. All that notwithstanding - I admire him to this day. I hope I have the strength to do the same, under similar conditions. YMMV.
John
Please don't interpret my comment as disrespectful towards your father, as that is certainly not my intent, but should you (or anyone) decide to go that route, do it somewhere so family doesn't end up doing the clean up. Buddy of mine's dad blew his brain's out after asking him to make a quick run to the store. He walked back into the house twenty minutes later to find . . . well, to find a situation which did a pretty decent mind-**** on him.
If someone decides to end their life (and I think a person has that right), plan accordingly to minimize the trauma to your loved ones.
If someone decides to end their life (and I think a person has that right), plan accordingly to minimize the trauma to your loved ones.
As you might expect - I totally agree with you on that point:)
John
http://robarguns.com/blog/2014/06/26/louis-awerbuck/
For those who may like to attend a tribute to Louis Awerbuck.
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