Dear Friends
As you have probably read from my previous posts on the Loss Of Owain Lewis AR thread, Chifuti Safaris, Safari Classics, the brotherhood of Professional Hunters everywhere, and a legion of friends and clients have suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of this fine man. Owain was a man of GOD, a gentleman of the kind we see far too few of, a father to be emulated, and a true professional in his chosen field. Yet it was his role of husband that, in my opinion, he showed the most exceptional qualities. Seeing Robbie and Owain Lewis together as man and wife had a deep impact on me. The bond they so quietly shared made me think " Thats what marriage really is, and considering my own upcoming marriage, it made me understand that it was this kind of partnership I want to have in my own relationship. By just being who they are, they lead by example, and all who know them understand exactly what I am talking about.
The members of AR are in large part experienced safari veterans, who understand that the life of a professional hunter is one of financial challenge. There are no retirement funds, 401 K's, or pensions. You earn your money one daily rate at a time, and life insurance in most cases is impractical, if not impossible. Owain was the sole bread winner of the Lewis family, and besides the bottomless emotional hole his passing has left in his wife's heart, there are financial considerations that will soon become a focus. Everyday life in Zimbabwe is difficult on women, especially on women who marry hunters, but when a tragedy of this scale strikes, the difficulty is compounded beyond words. Owain touched so many lives during his life and career, and so many have called to ask " How can we help and honor this fine man?" If I know Owain, and I do, his final thoughts were not focused on the buffalo, his physical pain, or personal fear.. they were on what happens to my wife if I do not survive this fight? Those that know the man will back me on this. Owain is gone from us today, a fact that still seems all to unreal to totally grasp. But life will go on for Robbie, and we are trying to help in this difficult time by easing some of the financial hardships that are coming.
To do so we have created the OWAIN LEWIS MEMORIAL FUND , of which all proceeds will go directly to Owain's dear wife Robbie. You may send a check directly to our office in Dallas, or wire a donation.
Here is our mailing address:

Safari Classics Productions LLC
OWAIN LEWIS MEMORIAL FUND
5206 McKinney Ave, ste 101
Dallas,Tx 75205

If you wish to wire a donation, please follow the following wiring instructions:

Acct name SAFARI CLASSICS PRODUCTIONS LLC
OWAIN LEWIS MEMORIAL FUND
( It MUST say OWAIN Lewis MEMORIAL FUND)
Acct name 1440000453610

address 5206McKinney Ave,ste 101
Dallas, Tx 75205
Routing Number 111017694
BB&T SWIFT CODE BRBTUS33
Branch Address BB&T BANK
717 N.Harwood Ste,100
Dallas , Tx 75201

The international hunting community is full of good people, all of who realize the danger and personal risk Professional Hunters face in their careers, all in the name of helping folks like us enjoy our few Golden Days in the bush. Owain gave his life to protect others, as his creedo demands. Please send prayers to Heaven for him, and if you are moved to do so, some financial aid to this sweet and Godly woman as she will need our help until one great day when Owain once again wraps her in those big arms and they begin their eternal lives, once again together.
For the entire Chifuti and Safari Classics family, Thank You and God Bless.
Dave Fulson

Thanks Dave.

Nice post Dave - my check is in the mail.
Mangwana

Just walked my donation out to the mailbox.

Dave, it's in the mail

Robert & Rosella

Good words Dave, and good on you and your company for stepping up to the plate for a very worthy cause.

In the mail Dave.

Very eloquently put, Dave.



Dutch

please could someone post this to 24 hour campfire ..thank you ..

thank you also to all those who have called emailed and shared their sympathy on this forum...a great tribute to the hunting industry ...both from the working end and from the clients ...thank you .

Dave, can I as a Canadian, send a cheque or do I have to wire the money?

As a Canadian, you can easily send a personal check to our Dallas office via regular mail. To all, Thank you for stepping up !
Dave

Owain Lewis Memorial Fund

Most have herd the news of the tragic death of Chifuti's Senior PH Owain Lewis. This has been a difficult thing to settle in my heart and mind. Like you, I’m one of the many that loved Owain and Robbie. They stayed at our house during the last safari show season, and traveled to visit as many of their friends as they could get to. My first reaction was to depart the states to attend his funeral. But the needs of Owain’s family have quickly become apparent, and cannot be overlooked or neglected.

If Owain would ask anything of his friends ... he would ask that we take care of his wife. There’s no insurance, and little savings or resources. Like most, they lost everything when they lost their farm. This family was dependent on a PH's income. Robbie Lewis needs the help of friends and the safari community that loved them both.

Safari Classics has opened a memorial account in Owain’s name for just this purpose. This is a short-term account intended to address the multitude of immediate needs. I leave for Harare in 6 weeks and will deliver to Robbie, the entire amount. There will not be a deposit into the Zim banking system. We wish, as do you, that Robbie receive 100% of this memorial fund.

Please see the banking details below. A wire transfer from your bank to Owain’s account is most efficient. You may also send a check to either the bank directly – or to the Safari Classics office, both addresses are provided. We will make the deposit and keep current for Robbie, a list of all who have donated in Owain’s memory.

Bless you all for your concern, compassion and desire to help this extraordinary man and his beautiful Robbie. There are not words to describe the void his passing has left in so many lives. I’m proud and fortunate to have the right to call Owain Lewis my friend. It’s because Owain had so many friends that we have this opportunity to grieve and share this loss, and to come together to help our Robbie.

Tamela Moss
Safari Classics and Chifuti Safaris


Wire Instructions

*** When wiring please MEMO: Owain Memorial Fund, FOB Robbie Lewis

Account Name: Safari Classics Productions LLC
Owain Lewis Mem. Fund
Account Number: 1440000453610
Account Address: 5206 McKinney Ave
Ste 101
Dallas, TX 75205

Routing Number: 111017694
BB&T Swift Code: BRBTUS33

Bank Address: BB&T Bank
717 N. Harwood Ste. 100
Dallas, TX 75201

Thank you, mailed a check yesterday.

Check is in the mail.
Thanks Tamela.

Tams,
I will have a check in the mail in the morning.
God bless him and Robbie.
Rick

My Fellow Africa Hunters - To help raise money for the Owain Lewis Memorial Fund, I am donating my Belgian Browning Safari in .458 Winchester (see photos below). If you would like to purhcase this rifle, please forward $1500 plus $50 shipping / insurance to Tamela Moss at Safari Classics. Tamela has physical possession of the rifle and will ship it to your FFL dealer upon receipt of your FFL and funds made out to the "Owain Lewis Memorial Fund". The $1500 contribution will be forwarded to Owain's wife Robbie in your name (only).
This rifle is a shooter and not a collector piece. It is in very good condition. Serial number is L399X, indicating is was made pre-1963. It is a Mauser action with long claw extractor. It is Mag-na-Ported and has a peep sight installed as well as Talley scope bases. It shoots very well. This rifle belonged to a former RAF Officer and WWII ace (having shot down 14 German aircraft in the Battle of Britain). It has taken hippo, buffalo and elephant in its' early days. If you need any more info about the rifle, please PM me. If you wish to purchase it, please PM or call Tamela Moss at Safari Classics, and she will handle the details.

Mangwana

I am putting together a piece on Owain's death for Outdoor Life tomorrow

quote:

Visit Gayne at www.hemingwaysfoyer.com

I see someone has learned about SEO.

The past 5 days have been both "the best of times and the worst of times". One moment I'm tickled at a new story of Owain, the next I'm sobbing like a child. There are not words or time enough to tell of all the extraordinary moments, but there is one to share.

Tuesday evening late, I was leaving the office and the phone rang again and I thought I just didn't have the strength to take it. But I answered and a fella introduced himself as Don and explained that he's the president of the New Zeland Safari Club. He said that they had learned that PH Owain Lewis in Zim had lost his life in the course of his profession. He further said that although they are a small country ... they wanted to assist the family with a financial contribution and wondered who could provide him the necessary information. This was one of the times I mentioned ... I cried like a child ... and I suspect poor Don had to question my stability. (Sorry Don - it had been a long, sad & grueling day) I emailed him the Owain Lewis Memorial Fund letter and wire instructions. Anybody need a NZ hunting contact? We have a good one.

I can't even begin to express my gratitude and personal pride to be associated with the safari community. The concern & compassion is inspiring, and I feel truly blessed to be involved in such an important endeavor.

I’m proud to announce that the Belgain Browning .458 rifle has been purchased and the proceeds of $ 1,500.00 will be added to Owain’s Memorial Fund on Monday. Huge thanks to Mangwana for this great idea, and for donating the rifle. Thanks to all for the interest and inquiries. Just needed to let everyone know that the rifle has been sold.

Wonderful contribution Subsailor74.

A class act Admiral!