Distant Thunder/James M Kluskens

[beltfed]

Sad to have to report that Jim/ James M Kluskens passed away yesterday
as the result of an accident during a tree felling.
He will be missed greatly from the BPCR community.
Over the years he was a great comtributor in sharing his experiences in
load development,
We worked together in load discussions, DDEPP bullet design, etc
and he cut molds at Very good prices for some of us.
Also , he "was" "Distant Thunder" - his machine shop
business that manufactured tang sights , long range front sights, etc for our rifles.

Sad, he had recently retired from the machining business , had sold his shop
and managed to sell his machines, move some of them to his new home shop building, having completed the vacating this July. -looking forward to a good retirement.
I will miss him greatly.
Arnie Seitz

[Don McDowell]

Jim will be sorely missed

[Kevin Alexander]

I have 53 e-mails from Jim starting in March of 2021 until now. His 1st email was asking if I would like to shoot with him at the spring Lodi match in May of 2021. I made the 8 hour trip and met him for the 1st time that May weekend, and it was my 1st ever Creedmoor match. I knew of him from past forum discussions and of the business he ran. I had even purchased some things from him. I was very excited to meet him and try my hand at the long range game with a BPCR and paper patched bullets. To lay down on the mat for the 1st time and to try to shoot 1000 yards is very intimidating, anyway it was for me. Jim made me feel comfortable and had given me excellent advice for weeks prior to the match. He really enjoyed helping someone to learn to shoot long range. A person who has shot 1000 yards in a Creedmoor match will never forget when his spotter says "X" for the 1st time. For me, that spotter was Jim Kluskens and my look of astonishment was changed to a look of joy when he said that to me, and as I turned to look at him and he was ginning that big Jim smile and he said lets get another one, and I did. I was high score at 1000 yards that day which I owe mostly to Jim. I shot well all weekend and came home with the joy of learning a new shooting discipline and making a great friend. I had the privilege to shoot with him again just a few weeks ago up at Lodi. We had a blast. My prayers go out to his family and close shooting friends, we have truly lost 1 of the Legends from Lodi.

KA

[JKR]

During the winter of 20/21 Jim taught me to paper patch via email and telephone. He was so generous with his time and information and answered every one of my many questions.

I wanted to shoot long range matches and he encouraged me to come to the spring match at Lodi. He even volunteered to shoot with Kevin and I. It was a tough match condition wise and thanks to Jim’s great spotting, we both did very well, which pleased him greatly I think.

I shot with him at Merrill on Saturday. When I left I said goodbye and we shook hands. Who knew it would be the last time.

Rest In Peace my friend.

JKR

[GrumpyBear]

May he rest in peace.

Never met Jim face to face, but had a few conversations with him here and on the Shiloh forum, he will be missed.

[DirtySteve]

Wow, Sad to hear. My condolences to his family and friends..

[J.B.]

Shattered.. saddened and the poorer for never having met Jim in person. He was always there with support and advice for me and many others that made forays into paper patching, mould design and a host of other topics. Our hearts and prayers go out of course to his family and closest friends and his tragic loss will be felt for some time. I am truly rocked by the news having sincerely expected to 'catch up ' with him one day when I ventured beyond Montana to a common range where we might exchange ideas on our 44/77 journey. Sincere condolences to his family on his passing. We know not the day nor the hour. Way too soon... RIP Jim... maybe we'll get to exchange ideas eventually.
Gavin.

[craneman]

I must say I'm still in shock. Shooting at Lodi is my favorite match by far. Jim has been a major factor in my enjoyment and I'm sure wasn't aware of it. The opportunity to discuss true rifle crank topics is rare in person and he was a crank to be sure! I also have to say listening to Jim and Brent on the line was like listening to dialog from the movie Grumpy Old Men! Entertaining but at the same time very instructive on reading conditions. Thanks to them I think I have been able to teach my kids a bit about the topic and we are better riflemen for it. It is often stated we are diminished by someone's passing, and in Jim's case it is a truism. His philosophical questions provoked discussions that were insightful. I will miss his insightful queries.

Todd

[Gussy]

Very sorry to hear this. I have a set of his sights on my favorite rifle and just missed getting another set when he retired before I placed an order.


Gus

[beltfed]

A Reminder:
James E Kluskens, Jim's son had asked me to pass this information along to fellow shooters and friends of Jim:

There will be a Memorial, Celebration of Life for Jim/Distant Thunder on Saturday October 1
in Niagara ,WI :
Time: 1pm-3pm
Location : Niagara Town Hall, at W6889 US Highway 8
Niagara,WI 54151

Bring PICS and stories of Jim
There will be socializing after 3pm, along with food and refreshments.

Arnie Seitz aka beltfed/arnie

PS. Niagara is in NorthEast Wisconsin, near the UP Michigan border.