Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/496918
S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S 1 3 7 Along with his painting he illustrated a number of books, several written by Worth Mathewson, and two of his own, The Bottoms (1987), and Waterfowling These Past Fifty Years—Mostly Brant (1998). Dave's dedication in this book includes an eloquent passage: "to the little sea geese with whom I've kept vigil on many the lonely bay." Both books have become highly sought-after classics. Dave's work also appeared in The Art of a Sporting Life and Sporting Images (Skagit River Press, 2009), a comprehensive and acclaimed two-volume set featuring his etchings, drypoints, and pencil drawings, along with hundreds of his paintings. A ll of this is formal chronology, however, failing to touch on the personal attributes that endeared Dave to so many friends and fans. Among these people friendship came easily and he was known for his enthusiasm, his mischievous good humor and wit, and especially his generosity. For more than 50 years Dave donated original paintings to raise close to $1 million for Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Ruffed Grouse Society and the National Wild Turkey Federation, as well as many local conservation groups—altogether an amazing record of sustained charitable giving. Along with Dave's generosity was his modesty. In 1988 he was chosen by the National Wild Turkey Federation as the organization's painter of the year and further honored with an invitation to visit the White House. An unapologetic and independent spirit who was not easily impressed with pomp, Dave had a narrow escape when President Reagan was shot. While he was sorry the President was hospitalized, he was mightily relieved when the Washington trip was called off. Anything that interfered with his hunting and painting was not welcome, no matter how high the honor. This was not meanness on his part, only a matter of priorities. To Dave, a day with boat, decoys, and retriever was more important than a handshake and photograph with the President. This sketch of a ruffed grouse is among more than a hundred black-and-white etchings, drypoints, and drawings in David Hagerbaumer: Sporting Images, a signed and numbered book in an edition of 1,000 copies. Admirers of Dave's work are legion, including painters whose careers he influenced, decoy carvers, bankers, and business CEOs, along with wildlife art collectors and fellow waterfowlers. Dave knew them all, and without exception they held him in highest esteem and with great affection. From a boy hunting over live decoys, to becoming one of our greatest waterfowl artists, he lived a life as free as the birds he painted. Let it be said of David Hagerbaumer that he was a master of the marsh and tidelands, a painter who focused on what he loved, and through his art shared it to the fullest with others. Art was the language through which he spoke to us. With brush and canvas, he delighted thousands. Perhaps of more importance is that in doing so, he achieved his own personal fulfillment. He could scarcely have done better. Note: A special thanks to William Webster for providing the images for this article. Bill was a longtime friend and hunting companion of the artist. Indeed, it was just after a 1967 grouse and woodcock hunt with Hagerbaumer and fellow artist David Maass that Bill founded Wild Wings, Inc. in Lake City, Minnesota.