This guestbook is dedicated to Nevada Wise. Please enjoy the entries. It is now closed for new entries, due to the spamming bastards that put their crap everywhere they can. You can use the contact link on the main page to submit a worthy entry if you would like.
Memories of Nevada Wise
Thanks, Mike, for this tribute to my dad.
I'll remember him best as a teacher, mentor, leader. A man of many passions and depths that no one of us plumbed fully. He is the consummate police officer although many of his various bosses would also say "the consummate outlaw"...
The world is a better place for his being here. I miss him terribly. We are diminished.
Those who respect Nevada should support the shooting sports, hunting and above all the U.S. Constitution. We honor his memory by ensuring these things continue.
God Bless.
Geof Wise
1*
Can remember the Easter he spent with us in the early nineties. He and I went out and bought some new stereo equip and he helped me install it all in that way he has. Whistle while you watch. He loved helping others in any way he could.
sg
Nevada was my friend, teacher and my inspiration. He has left some big shoes to fill.
Neil Connolly Director Nevada State Rifle and Pistol Assoc.
The minister recalled this at the funeral, but one of my two outstanding memories of Nevada was the cartoons he drew on Renee's lunch bags every day when we were in high school. I remember being incredibly envious and couldn't imagine my dad taking the time to provide that kind of steadfast encouragement.
The other thing I remember growing up around the Wise household was that Nevada was the first person I ever met about whom I remember thinking how complex and multi-faceted a person could be. As a kid, I was just in awe. He was so many things all in one: stern and funny; quiet and ribald; intense and gentle. And, he was a police officer and a gun smith, a singer and a storyteller. I remember just being amazed at how many things one person could be. That helped me make piece with all the parts of me I couldn't immediately classify or conceal! In Judiasm, the word Shalom is taken from the word ha-o-lam, wholeness. Thank you, Nevada, for teaching me about wholeness. And, wherever you are, whatever you're up to from your new perch, I wish you the peace that comes from wholeness. Shalom, Kimberly Waters (Webster)
Mike -- Thanks for doing this. It is a wonderful gift of something that keeps on giving. I appreciate it, and you, from the bottom of my heart.
My dad was, for me, the epitomy of unconditional love. That is without a doubt what makes this the most difficult thing I've ever been through in my life. I adored him. Still do. I miss him terribly each and every day.
There are so many stories to tell ... so much about my dad that is rich and ripe for allegory. I hardly know where to begin. But, a favorite tale which goes hand in hand with the one about driving that the pastor told at his funeral is this: When teaching me how to drive I seemed to have the most difficult time with backing up in a straight line. We'd go out to the school on Mayberry and he'd make me back up for DAYS at a time (it seemed!) until I could do it straight. Then, the lessons in parallel parking began. A cone delineated the front of the "car behind me" and HE delineated the back of the "car in front of me". Now THERE is a brave man. For that he deserves the highest medal of honor there is.
I miss him. I love him. And he's the cutest damn man I know. My heart aches in his passing ... but is relieved in not having him "live" the way he did those last few days. I am truly blessed that I got to spend one full night with him where we could talk and touch and share together before he continued on to his next adventure.
Renee Wise
I don't even know where to start or what to say, other than Nevada was one of the greatest men I have ever met. I have always considered him to be my second father, and when I saw him just a week before he passed away it was a pleasure to have him call me one of his kids. In the early 1980's, while going to college at UNR, I would stop by his house once or twice a week and we would hash out the latest, greatest, designs for firearms and techniques on shooting. He always had the right words of encouragement or wonderful advice. His support of my unconventional ideas was truly a gift to me, as it gave me the courage to continue trying unique things to this day. Nevada played a huge role in my success in the shooting sports, and I thought of him every time I won a big match or set a national record. I will never forget when I called him from Camp Perry and told him that Linda Wright and I just took the Nevada State Whistler Boy Team to second place at the National Championships. I think he was happier than Linda and I, judging from the loud response I heard on the other end of the phone. It was great to have that kind of support and I will never forget it. Nevada's passion for shooting was as deep as anyone's, and his effort and involvement in shooting sports was second to none. If anyone can give to the shooting sports only half of what Nevada gave, they would be a leader in the shooting community. Thanks for everything Nevada, Dan Jones
Wonderful tribute to Nevada, We were fellow officers for some years, on the RPD. We were avid shooters in those years,60s--70s Lance Burke
I volunteered to take the old Winchester home to clean for a friend. Parts everywhere, all but one seemed to fit back together. I was panick stricken, as the friend and his father were on their way over to pick it up! I knew Nevada only as a friendly old guy who knew an aweful lot about these long guns. "Nevada, umm, got a problem here," I said sheepishly over the phone. One hour later I handed the antique lever gun to its owners. (My cost= $0) Clean as a virgin, and all in one piece. Sweat running down my smiling face, "no problem," I said, as I handed the handsome piece back to its owners. With the help of my new skilled and amazingly helpful new friend, it really wasn't. Thanks Nevada, I'll never forget.
Bruce Grilli
What do you say about a person like Nevada. I met him for the first time in October of 1975. His daughter made me say hello before I took her out. From that first meeting he had a impact on my life. As he watched me struggle and make those mistakes of youth, he was never judgmental. He always had a positive word.
I wish I had kept in contact. I think of all those times that I was in Reno and was afraid to just "drop" by. For that I am truly sorry.
Nevada you were a great man, you helped me become what I am
Shalom...... William Cahal, RN...Salem,Oregon
Mike, thanks for keeping this memory of my dad on you site. This really means a lot to me. Friends like you are rare. God bless. Geof
I think the best testimony to the man that Nevada was are his two children, Geof and Renee. Other writers here on this site have mentioned Nevada's remarkable range of interests and gifts - those things could be said for Geof and Renee as well. And while nobody could ever replace Nevada, the world is richer for having his two remarkable offspring. Wherever you are Nevada, thanks for those gifts.
EK
Geof, since I stopped shooting I didn't know your dad had passed. You know of my admiration for Nevada. I'm sure he is in a better place. Condolances, John Dunn
My memories of Nevada include all the times we were together at the Regional Shooting Facility when it was just built. Way back then, I was a competitor shooting metallic handgun silhouette and an IHMSA member. My father, Vern, customized the pistols I and many others used in this competition and was also great friends with Nevada. Nevada was definitely one to look up to and was very much respected by all of us who frequented the range at the time. He always cheerfully joined us with whatever had to be done as we built our fledgling shooting club from nothing to a regionally known group of enthusiasts.
Our world is a better place because of Nevada. Please keep this memorial going. It is great to read! – Ken Juenke
Every time I work on this book, a flood of memories of Nevada come back. Todays was a time when we were all up in Duck Valley thinning out the squirrel population for the Alfafa farmers. On the way home that evening, he was riding with me and I was grousing about one of my rifles accuracy.
He said "Does it shoot minute of Squirrel?" I had to agree it did, and changed the subject... He always had a reply to things like that, and I'll always remember, and use them.
Still miss you at the range being crabby.. Mike
Viktor Ushenko k49xn48f5h