[toolmanm203]

Goodbye my friend

Dolf L. Goldsmith born Adolf Leeming Goldschmidt August 17, 1928 has passed and It is with a very heavy heart that I write this because today we have lost not only a dear man but a national treasure. He will be missed by many, both here and around the world and our hobby will never be the same without him involved in it. Anyone that has known Dolf over the years has seen his eyes light up and his infectious smile when he is discussing anything firearms related. He has been a welcome site for many of us at Knob Creek, the SAR show and many others over the years. His many contributions to the hobby are a gift to us all including the generations to come and they will never be forgotten, nor will he.

I have always believed that we are all born a certain age, I for example was born an old soul but Dolf was born and stayed forever 12 years old. He had a innocence about him as well as a boyish charm and a mischievous nature which stayed with him throughout his countless escapades in both school as well as the rest of his life. He had a passion for the hobby like no one that I have ever met and he never stopped learning and studying about it right up until the end. He started in the hobby at the age of twelve and stayed active in it for the next 82+ years including not only attending but setting up at the SAR show in December 2022, we should all be so lucky but he of all people certainly deserved that.

Many people over the past years have asked me what it is like to spend time with Dolf outside of the hobby and my response has always been the same "There is no outside of the hobby with Dolf" He is either tinkering with guns, shooting them, training others, writing books about them or reading books and researching about the guns, conflicts or the history of them. He never tired of the hobby or any area involved with it and has always had an insatiable thirst for knowledge no matter what it was he was doing.

I have many stories from over the years that I could tell here but I thought that it might be a nice tribute if we could all add our stories of him in this thread for his friends and family to share so that we can reflect on them and remember him and how he touched each of our lives. He was a kind and generous man with both his time and knowledge and I know that he touched many lives here and I am very thankful for the time we shared together.



Godspeed my friend I will see you on the mountain soon.

SAR show 2022 From left to right:
Rollin L. Rogue Island arsenal
Dolf
Rick S. BMG parts behind Dolf
Russ B. Toolman

 

[Mike Duke]

Oh man. Sorry to hear that. He will be missed tremendously.

 

[Klocker]

sorry to hear this. I just bought his The Devil's Paintbrush book last weekend.

 

[OLDIRONSIGHT]

The world is a little darker this morning with such a bright light gone. I imagine he’s probably asking Saint Peter where the range is about now. Godspeed sir.

 

[MG34_Dan]

Rest in Peace my friend. You will never be forgotten.

 

[SilentNight1647]

May we all be so fortunate to be as wise, respected, and admired. Till Valhalla.

 

[toolmanm203]

I am not on many boards guys so please feel free to copy and paste this thread anywhere that you see fit to let folks know.

 

[RENCORP]

There is a hot range waiting for him along with an unlimited supply of ammo, and a warehouse full of weapons to play with, God bless you Dolf.

 

[big44maghunter]

Very sorry to hear that Russ, but what a wonderful long life lived! I have enjoyed the stories through you and seeing him on a couple occasions at the creek. He was lucky to have you as such a good friend also!

 

[master22nl]

I am without any words now.... i met Dolf when i set up with Russ and Rollin on the knob creek show
Russ introduced me to Dolf, and soon after that we had lines of people waiting to sign his books
we found out that Dolf was born in holland, and me being dutch also we quickly changed our conversation in dutch
all people around and linging up at Dolf,s table were thinking "what the heck, what kind of languaze are those two speaking"?
we talked about his childhood and how they kind of escaped holland just before ww2 started on their way to the USA
i even have seen tears in Dolfs eyes, when i talked about my grandfather how he did hyde a complete jewish famile in a secret section of his house and kept them hyde away for 3 years, ....... i then realised that Dold himself also had Jewish roots, the story clearly did something to him, and after almost a one hour conversation in dutch a new friendship was born.
Dolf take care up there, i know you wil be in the harts of many people.
Dolf, het was mij een waar genoegen jou te leren kennen, mensen zoals jij waren en zijn er veel te weining op deze wereld, het ga je goed mijn vriend, je bent nu op weg naar je verdiende eeuwige rust, john

 

[CaptMax]

What a wonderful life he lived, we should all be so lucky. Dolf had a sound mind up to the end and never ran out of energy. I feel blessed to have met him over the years at the creek and he was always a gentleman. Going to miss him but will never forget him. Thanks for letting us know Russ, I can only imagine how difficult it is. I know Dolf and you were tight and like family. My sincere condolences my friend.
CaptMax

 

[Flat Broke Dave W]

He'll be sorely missed. He was such an inspiration to us. Having led a life of experiences and dedication to the hobby that I was just in disbelief of since I didn't get into the hobby until the early 90s.
My only Dolf story was from KCR.
I bought his book and was building a Vickers from a kit. My total knowledge could be held in a coffee cup and as a total stranger and young guy in his 20s I got 30 mins of discussion on Vickers barrel guages!!
That's when I knew the depth of knowledge he had and that I would never have.
We've lost a tremendous resource of knowledge not to mention an overall good person.
I wished I could have known him better.
There's no telling how many peoples lives he's touched in the same way as mine. It meant alot just that he was taking the time to talk to me.

 

[jim w]

Sorry to hear this, he was always held in the highest regard here.

 

[marks]

I'm still really a 1919 newbe but Dolf has had a really positive impact in my quest for knowledge. I'm referencing his books on a weekly basis.

Wishing positive tail winds and may he rest in peace.

 

[Outdoordave]

Like most here I met Dolf many times at the Creek and chatted with him for what seemed like hours. He and Byron visited my wife and I so he could check out a semi 08 Maxim I built. They spent the entire day and he loved it - so did we. I was truly honored. My condolences to you Russ and all of his family and friends. He was a gem and will be missed.

 

[IMBLITZVT]

What a tremendous loss. I feel old in my own time knowing that I met Dolf at the Creek both of which have now past into American MG history. My condolences!

 

[fjruple]

Russ-- That's very sad to hear. He will sorely missed by all. God Bless and Rest in Peace. Dolf

 

[brassmagnet]

There are no words - or not enough words to express feelings in a case like this. There is sadness, but let there also be joy and happiness for having the opportunity to share a little bit of the life of Dolf over the years, and all the knowledge he was willing to share and voluntarily gave to almost anyone who asked. I think we elder members will probably feel this a little more painful than our younger group for obvious reasons, but either way the sorrow cannot be denied.

Yes........he will be missed deeply.

God be with you Dolf!

 

[[email protected]]

Russ, my condolences to his family and to you, what a great loss. A great man, he singlehandedly put this hobby on the map, and had made very sure that it has grown, and that it is locked in among many for generations. God Bless, and God Speed Dolf. Jim.

 

[joshs1ofakindxj]

"A life well lived."

I'm very sad to hear of his passing. It's unfortunate that I never got to meet Dolf. Myyself, and many others, will benefit from his contributions to the hobby for years and years.