We all miss a guy who was both funny and intellectual ......... I suppose it takes some great intellect to accomplish those at the same time. I knew Chris since about 1972........ and I thank him nearly every day for helping me for nearly 50 years...... improve my skill and knowledge about guns, archery, fishing and politics. I got a kick out of his ability to ask a question......... and be able to raise one eyebrow as he looked around to see caught the double meaning.  In some ways, he was more like a brother than friend....... when you know someone from many perspectives that long.  I could cast a lure within about 6 inches of any spot on a lake when fishing with Chris. But that pales in comparison to his incredible 1-inch accuracy when pitching a jig or frog.  In the future, every time I will go fishing, hunting, cleaning my firearms, polishing my knives, or carrying concealed; I will think of Chris and things I learned from him. Some of my expertise in fishing, I have already passed on to my nephew.  No need for what I've learned from him not to be passed on to the next generation.  For many years, Chris thought he had Cherokee blood running through him because the Whitehead clan lived among them when the Trail of Tears began in the Smoky Mountains. The Whitehead family was treated improperly by the US government when forcing the Whitehead clan and the Cherokees from their land when the Smokey Mountain National Park was created. The Whitehead family was never paid for their land..... just as the Cherokees were likewise treated. The Whitehead's were the very LAST family to be forced from their land at the south gate of the Park. The Whitehead cabin still stands to this day. They had sued twice to keep their land..... going all the way to the Tennessee Supreme Court....... and winning TWICE. But alas....... the US Supreme Court said that the Federal Government had higher authority; and more powerful imminent domain and overturned those favorable decisions twice.  If anyone ever wondered why Chris had a healthy distrust for the Federal Government, now you know. The Whitehead family was never overly bitter at this treatment. Just disappointed to be kicked from their treasured land in the Smokey Mountains..... for about 150 years.....  They were treated worse than the Cherokees... because at least the Cherokees got some land when removed to Oklahoma.  Whitehead family moved from the new park and moved to Maryville, Tennessee in the middle of the 1930s depression. I can imagine how I would feel if the Federal Government had bankrupted my family back then.  Chris's dad, Ron........ I spoke with him about this.  And I could see the same sentiment imbued in Chris as in Ron. Both forgave the Federal Government.......... but did not forget!  Ron was a humble meat cutter, while Chris bordered on technical genius. Chris came from a humble and hard-working family.... and knew what it meant to sacrifice for the common good of all.  If any of you survivors ever receive something from Chris...... here is one characteristic about him: If he physically touched something, he would improve it..  redesign it, make it better and long lasting. He would take one of the best professionally design fishing lure........study it........ replace the hooks, replace the O-rings with the finest money could buy.  Boat.... car..... same thing. He was like the guy on the old 1980s show 6 million dollar man who would say: "We can improve it (him) ..... we have the technology." Always striving to improve things and maintain them in better than new condition.  No detail was too small to ignore.  If you were his friend, you knew he would treat you like he treated his toys......... special. That is a memory that is not forgotten.  Shortly before he left for the stars......... Chris built me a very special personal possession........  a "handcrafted (fishing rod)........by Chris Whitehead........ to Doug Shipe." He didn't let on to me..... but he knew his time was short, and to take the time to do such a thing when you are ailing....... is even more special.  Some debts of friendship can't be repaid.......... Such coin of the realm is rarer than platinum.