Forrest Shoup

[RyanCope]

I don't know how many of you have heard of Forrest Shoup, but he could use your thoughts and prayers right now. He's laying in a V.A. hospital, bed ridden, fairly depressed, and wondering how much time he has left. Forrest is one of the last of the old timers left from the Visalia era. A perfectionist of the highest order, both in his saddlemaking, as well as in his life. His career spanned more than 50 years, and his abilities inspired more than a few saddlemakers in the generation that followed him. He was my teacher, and I owe him everything.

Ryan Cope

Hospital address is:

Forrest Shoup

M.S.I.C.U.-13 (Intensive care unit room# 13)

c/o V.A.M.C.

3801 Miranda Ave.

Palo Alto, CA 94043

[Jordan]

Consider it done. Everyone deserves to know others care, even if they have never met.

[bruce johnson]

Ryan,

Consider it done here. Thanks for the update. I hadn't heard much about Forrest in the last year, and was kind of wondering. In our little corner of the world, Shoup saddles are an icon. In the day, the powers that be out here either had a Shoup or VanCore. I hate to sound like a broken record, but some say that there are more good saddlemakers now than ever before. It is because they are standing on the shoulders of guys like this.

[Johanna]

Tell Forrest that some lady in Ohio he's never heard of is praying for him, too. God bless all of our leatherworkers, and Veterans.

Johanna

[Billy P]

Ryan, Mr. Shoup will be much in mine and my families prayers and thoughts. I will also have him put on the prayer list at 2 churches that I attend, semi regularly anyway. If you send his address I'll try and send him a card also, if you think it would be alright. With Warmest Regards Billy P

[Alan Bell]

Ryan, Please tell Mr Shoup that many are praying for him and to take heart!

Vaya Con Dios, Alan Bell

Feel the Spirit...Lord I thank Thee! Lord I thank Thee!

Bob Marley - Put It On

[mulefool]

Way back in the early 70's a gal I know ordered a Shoup saddle. It was the nicest thing I'd ever seen. I saw her a few months ago and asked if she still had it. She said of course, she'd never part with it. So sorry to hear he's ailing. That saddle he built made me start thinking of custom saddles so he got another one on the right track too. I hope it is of some comfort to him to know that he inspired alot of people even if he didn't know them, and that that inspiration will live on.

[Pip]

Inspiring others through perfection is a rare talent, thoughts, prayers and gratitude from Liverpool england. Everyone needs a star for guidance, you have been a light for so many let them be a light for you now!

Nic (pip)

[RyanCope]

If any one is interested in sending Forrest a note, now is the time. He is down to one infected lung, and could use some help from above.

Hospital address is:

Forrest Shoup

M.S.I.C.U.-13 (Intensive care unit room# 13)

c/o V.A.M.C.

3801 Miranda Ave.

Palo Alto, CA 94043

[carugoman]

I've never met Mr.Shoup,but the name is quite familiar. A Mr.Hank Barth,now deceased,of Wichita Falls,TX;whom taught me,had mentioned learning from the trade from Mr.Shoup. I do wish him well and will include him in my daily prayers. From past personal experience,I know how depressing VA and military hospitals can be,especially during the holidays. Photo is my office/workshop;Besides leather,I'm a computer geek and a 7th generation fruit,veggie and poultry small family farmer. We also keep goats and cows and make fairly darn good Italian type cheeses.

[KAW]

I'm sorry to hear that, his saddles were of the highest quality, attention to detail and function, hope he pulls through.

[D.A. Kabatoff]

Hi Ryan,

thanks for posting the mailing address. The photo you posted is inspirational in a few different ways. For myself, never having met Forrest or even previously seen his work that photo seems to speak volumes about who he is and what he has contributed to saddlemaking. I sincerely hope he pulls through for his and his family's sake, for you as his friend and his student, and for all of us who he inspires.

Darc

[Yonatan]

Ryan--

My thoughts and prayers go out for Forrest's full recovery.

Thanks very kindly for letting us know where to direct our

hearts. This man belongs to the great legacy of California

saddle makers, and his integrity is evident in your work--

you're privileged to know the man, and to have had the

opportunity to study with him.

Y