Watcher wrote:I didn't know Ian Cheeseman; can you tell me a bit more about him?
I never had the opportunity to meet Ian, though from what I'd heard from others I wish I had....
Here are some posts from the USRifleteam's Long Range Forum recently:
Vikki Gaddie -
"To Ian -- God bless you for your tremendous endeavors in creating, financing, and supporting the Young Eagles Palma Team.You have touched my life with your heart for junior shooters, and I can never thank you enough for everything you did and were to me. Your kindness has reached farther than you will ever know. I pray God will give you extra rewards for your life's good deeds. Safe journey and blessings on your family. I'll see you on the other side friend!
Ian is undoubtedly one of the greatest men in US Palma history. His inspiration, drive, vision, and deep generosity towards the Young Eagles, especially, will always be held in the highest regard from all that knew of him in our sport.
When I first met Ian at Camp Perry in 2005, he encouraged the then young and slightly timid Vikki Gaddie. I was the first female junior from Michigan to have tried out for the Young Eagles, and I had NO IDEA what I was doing. My local mentor Bob Steketee, sensed my frustration and confusion, and pointed to a tall, dapper, and slightly intimidating man coming down the firing line. He said, "Vikki, that is the man you need to talk with." That man was Ian Cheeseman. His courteous mannerisms set my mind at ease and I immediately trusted him. From the very beginning Ian told me that I was going to be a leader for the Juniors, and that he had faith in me. Even after the junior tryouts in 2006 when we shot our finals in a straight downpour and we could barely see the targets, Ian was sitting behind me watching until I was finished shooting. It was little things like that that truly set him apart from any other mentor I know. In 2007, after I had made the US Young Eagles Under 21 Team, Ian's calm demeanor, and sometimes strict guidelines for demeanor on the range, made me appreciate his dedication to the team. I remember him telling us on the day of the World Championships, "You can sing, dance, and scream all you want after you win. But until then, be quiet, respect the other shooters around you, and know in your heart that your going to beat them." He never doubted our abilities for a moment!! Ian never stopped supporting the Young Eagles, even in 2011 for the World Championships in Australia when he was too sick to make the trip. He sent us a letter wishing us well, congratulating us for our achievements on making the team, and wishing that he could be with us for our match. Ian loved our team, our spirits, and our opportunity for greatness. He was the one that made it all possible.
Ian has truly impacted my life, and many many other juniors, and I just wanted to say my farewells to him in public so that any one who didn't know him personally, would realize what an incredible and wonderful man he was. I am deeply honored to have known and called him a friend and mentor.
Thank you Ian for all you have done. You are and will be terribly missed."
From Kelly Bachand -
"Ian gave me opportunities that literally changed my life.
I first met Ian in 2006 at the Under 25 US team tryouts, at Camp Perry. It was immediately obvious that he had a vision for success, a vision for the younger long range shooters to represent America with class. He wanted us to succeed, but he didn’t want us to be pompous while doing so. In 2007 I traveled with Ian and the USA Young Eagles to Canada for the World Championships. I remember on that trip feeling overwhelmed by the international shooting scene. I was nervous, I didn't shoot as well as I could have; I felt like a very small fish in a very large pond. Ian was encouraging and helped me grow through some of this. Still young and trying to prove myself, Ian put faith in me long before I ever did prove myself.
Just a few years later in 2009 I returned to the same shooting range with Ian and the USA Young Eagles. After seeing the spotting scope I was using (a Konus) Ian made me a very generous offer saying, "if you win the Grand Agg. I'll give you a new Kowa." I know that I am not alone in experiencing Ian's generosity. I don't know to what extent, but I am sure that he was financially providing for many of us USA Young Eagles on this and the other trips. Participating in this trip, a trip that Ian invited me on (and likely heavily funded), forever changed my shooting career, my life even. In no small way Ian gave me opportunities that others simply could not have.
It was with great pride in 2011 that many of us traveled to Australia for the World Championships as members of the USA Young Eagles. We wanted to bring home gold, yes for our country, but also for our team’s founder and foremost mentor – for Ian.
Ian was an inspiration and I am glad to have known him in the capacity I did. I look forward to one day being able to show generosity to the younger generation of shooters, as he had shown to me. Without a doubt, Ian has left a legacy of generosity by showing us what it looks like to be a good steward with what God gives us."
Ian Cheeseman's funeral information: 1PM on Tuesday, December 11, at St. John's Church, Niantic CT, U.S.A.
