Harvey's last hurrah canceled

[richjh]

Early 70s Pisces bass club shots

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From 1975 WON clipping in Harvey's scrapbook

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When I fished with Pat Donoho last year for a U.S. Open preview story, he said one reason WON BASS wasn't drawing big numbers during Harvey Naslund's third and final stint could be easily explained. "When Harvey came back the first time (in 1988), he called up all his old cronies and fishermen and they all rallied to his events. This time there were only a few who were not too old, too sick or just plain dead." That also became apparent to Harvey and Fred Ward, who pushed him to stage a reunion dinner while the old timers, or Silver Eagles as Harvey called them, were still around. Soon after Harvey agreed and began aggressively planning for the "Gathering of the Silver Eagles" he was diagnosed with lung cancer and a brain tumor. He was convinced he could pull it off anyway and that the dinner would go forward even if he couldn't make it. Then he hit a wall and lost his energy. And the huge early response dwindled. But he wouldn't give up on his dream and even though he downsized it to 60 pages, Harvey told me to continue with a "History of Western Bass Fishing." "We've gone too far," he said in early June. So the book, which includes articles by Larry Viviano (West Coast Bass), Bill Mays, George Kramer, Bill Rice, Craig Sutherland (ABA), Rich Tauber, Bill Hutcheson and myself on everything from tournament history to equipment and clubs, was completed and ready to go to the printer when Harvey's daughters called this morning and said response to the dinner was not enough to continue with the project. Please keep Harvey and his family in his prayers during his final days on earth. Meanwhile, Harvey's friends in the industry are going to try and put together the funds to print the book and sell it as a collector's item to recoup the cost. But the main purpose is to keep Harvey's tremendous legacy alive, as well as the legacy of Western bass fishing. Appreciate every cast.

Rich Holland

[Caudawg]

That is very sad news, Rich. Thanks for the heads up. Prayers go out to Harvey and his family.

[WON BASSIN]

This is a very hard thing to hear, as all of us at Won Bass hold Harvey in very high regards. I personally have had the chance to spend some great time with Harvey prior to his diagnosis, learning from him, and hearing all the great stories he had to share. We are very sadened to hear that he will not be able to make this event, as a lot of people where looking forward to it, and we will all keep Harvey in our prayers. This is just another reminder of how special life is, and that every moment could be your last. Embrace your family and friends and remember that life is precious. If you are still going to be in town on Saturday, and did have intentions of attending Harvey's Silver Eagles evening, please feel free to stop by our US Open Angler Appreciation evening at Boulder Station Casino, between 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM. We will take a few minutes of time that night to remember Harvey for what he has done for our industry and sport in general.

[pete gardner]

WHEN HARVEY CALLED ME ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO I COULD TELL HE WAS GETTING WEAKER, AND I WAS SO HOPING HE WOULD ENJOY THIS LAST HURRAH. BARBARA AND I ARE PRAYING FOR YOU AND THE FAMILY.

[tunaman]

Thanks for posting this Rich - I'm really sorry to hear that. My thoughts and prayers go out to Harvey, along with his family and friends.

Roger

[tbob]

It was only a week ago when Harvey last called me. He thanked me for sending him something, and I made him promise to play some craps with me in Las Vegas. While he sounded down he still seemed to have his wits and we had a nice talk about his current situation and the upcoming promotion. Harvey has known he had a serious health issue for some time, and he accepted his fate. For some time his biggest complaint about his health was that it kept him from getting his work done on this promotion moving along, and he had no complaints about his actual condition, pain, etc.

We ended most all of our talks when I would ask about his condition with him always saying " It is what it is", and he usually went out of his way to change the subject to something more positive. He also made me swear not to talk about it publicly, as he didn't want the attention on himself and he especially didn't want anyone to feel sorry for him. It is too bad that he couldn't have his good health and have one last grand promotion, but I hope that everyone will still take a moment and say a prayer for Harvey and have a good thought about all he has done for us over he years.

Harvey has always expressed a great amount of gratitude to all the people he worked with, his many friends, fishermen who supported him, and the companies such as WON and Ranger Boats with which he worked. But we are the ones that really should thank Harvey and all his fellow Silver Eagles who have made this all possible for the rest of us. He is an incredible guy, with a huge heart, and I am always very proud to call him my loyal friend and co-worker. That is expecially true today.

[tunaman]

Harvey can be proud of the most recent contributions he's made to the WON legacy. I remember when he was brought back in to shake things up, and not having the privilege of fishing under his previous reigns I was unfamiliar with him and his history. However, I could tell by many who I respect that seemed to revere him for his previous contributions, I recognized that this was something special that WON had done to try to regain some of the former glory.

From my outward perspective, it appears that Harvey was successful in that charge. I observed the results of his significant efforts, and they certain didn't go un-noticed. I believe Harvey had a significant positive influence on WON tournament bass fishing in his most recent campaign, and I believe he will one day leave a great legacy for which he can, and should, be extremely proud.

Hopefully that day doesn't come any time in the near future - best wishes on a miraculous and full recovery!

Roger

[kb]

My thoughts and prayers are with Harvey and I am sad that we aren't going to get together at the Silver Eagles Dinner. It was a chance for me to be the youngest Silver Eagle!!!

I know many of us will be on the show floor next week at ICAST and I hope for Harvey we can all take a few moments and look up an old friend and catch up.

Sounds like a great chance for WON Bass to rename an award at the U.S. Open.....highest finishing oldest angler gets the Silver Eagle Trophy.....what do ya say Bob?

Hang in there Harvey!!!!

Kent Brown
Ultimate Bass Radio

[mark poulson]

I am sorry to hear of Harvey's illness. He is a treasure.

[dwise]

It just breaks my heart.

[Bev Payne]

Harvey I have learned a lot from working with you. You know more about fishing and the industry then anyone.
Don and I will sure miss you and were looking forward to being at the Silver Eagles dinner. We both think the world of you and will miss you. Love and take care Don and Bev

[doug77]

Harvey
Dont know if your reading this-I hope you are.Your one of the main reasons I spent $1000s of dollars fishing Won.Never any regrets-alot of my fondest memories were camping and fishing with the old time greats-Don,Jared,Pat etc.Forgot Larry.
You made every weighin seem like the Bass master Classic.No offense to the others but you were the BEST DIRECTOR OF MY TIME I wish you the best on your next travels
Doug Chessmore

[tbob]

One of Harvet's daughters, Dawn, sent out an email to many of the people involved with the Silver Eagles reunion yesterday announcing that it was being canceled.

You might think Harvey and his family would have concerns other than this promotion right now, and for the last six months or so, but this goes to show just how much this bass business meant to Harvey. Here is a portion of the email I got from his daughter...



Dear Silver Eagle anglers and friends

As we approach the date of the Silver Eagles event, we regret to inform you that we must cancel the show due to the rapidly declining health of the architect Harvey. In the last two weeks his health has declined rapidly, and he has been unable to finish the necessary tasks to put on such a fine show.

Harvey knows every one of you personally, and you have all been of immense importance in his life. You have enriched his life with friendships envied by all.  We cannot tell you the number of stories recounting his days with you, of the great men and women that have crossed his life's path, the joy he's received in not only being a part of your lives, but in the telling of it.

Men are measured by the friends they have. Harvey's measure is over flowing.

It saddens us greatly, that Harvey's last dream to get all of you together, will be unrealized.

The time remaining is too short to correct the current course the event is on.

We appreciate your patience and friendship while we sort through the details. We apologize in advance if you're receiving this e-mail in error.

Respectfully,

Dawn  
(Harvey's daughter)

[kane-o]

dawn, im so sorry to hear about this. and our prayers go out to you and your family. i am a cancer survivor for 2 years now, and i know what it is like to have this horrible disease. and how hard it is on the family. by all the responses harvey was VERY MUCH LOVED in the sport and as a man by many an angler. even though i never had the chance to meet him, it breaks my heart to hear about this..... that was a very beautiful letter you sent to bill concerning the silver eagles dinner... give him a hug from a complete stranger, me ! god bless him, and the family

[Bayou Boy]

Wow, wow and double wow!!! How I could I be one of the last to learn of Harvey's illness and demise leaves me scratching my head. Where has the time gone, seems like only yesterday "Ol Harv and I were reliving some yesteryears like "Harvey's Carp tournament on Clearlake" and some of the "All nighters" at Wahweap, starring Johnny Western and all the booze I could buy on an American Express Gold at one time and discussing the birth of "Western Bass" and Jerry Abney and Don Seifert and John Fox and my moving to California in '78; but in reality I see now it has been almost a year since I last spoke with "Froggy", he always heated that name....

On a much more somber and by far sadder note I can't believe another one of my very good friends; a corner stone in the bass fishing community and one of it most beloved citizens is coming to a close. Harvey, my friend, I don't know if you will read this or not but if you do "Semper Fi" my "Silver Eagle" friend; may you always soar above it all and you can rest assured as long as I'm living you will not be forgotten..."Thanks for the memories" and 'til we meet again; I remain.

Respectfully yours

Tom Shockley

PS: If anyone reading this has a US Postal mailing address for Harvey, please email it to me at mako2201@att.net

[JJCJR]

Harvey's daughters Dawn and Amber are alternating watching over him 12 hours at a time. In talking with one of the daughters Monday afternoon at 2:30pm, Harvey was not communicating or eating. They are unsure if anything they say to him is understood.

They did approve, if you have any words you would like to share with them, sending messages. They do monitor the Silver Eagle email address. That address is
silvereagle715@aol.com.

[freddiew]

Harvey, if you can read this; we almost pulled it off. I so much wanted to see all the old gang and have some good times and remember the past. You and I fought like cats and dogs but I love and respect you more than you will ever know. Harvey, you did a lot of good things for the West. I feel honored to have played a small part along with you. For all of you Silver Eagles, this may have been my idea but Harvey jumped on it quickly and now I know why. I still think it is something we should do; maybe a tournament for all of us at Clear Lake or somewhere. If any of you have any ideas, and if some of you feel like you could head it up, please do so and let me know. You will have my full support. Harvey isn't the first to go and there will be many more in this decade. Let's try to get together and we will celebrate our old buddy Harvey. What a dear friend he is. fredward1941@yahoo.com