In Memoriam
David J. Cramer
April 11, 1943-August 30, 2012
Dave Cramer
Dave J. Cramer began shooting with an NRA Junior Rifle program while attending high school in Homer City, PA. While an undergraduate at Indiana University of Pennsylvania he was named an NRA Collegiate All-American, a first for the school
Soon after graduation he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Quartermaster Corps. After completing his basic officers’ course he was assigned to the Americal Division, serving in Chu Lai, Vietnam during 1967-68. Returning to the United States he found himself at Fort Benning, GA and was assigned to the Army Marksmanship Unit’s International Rifle Section in 1969.
Upon leaving active duty he joined the US Army Reserve where he successfully shot both International and Service Rifle, compiling an impressive shooting resume. He eventually was the Officer in Charge of the successful USAR International Team which he served on for 24 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
Cramer’s shooting interest was not confined to firearms as he also was a member of U.S. Armbrust Team, shooting the match crossbow in the international rifle style. He won numerous international awards in this discipline being awarded the Distinguished Armbrust Badge which he added to his US International Distinguished Shooters Bade, US Army Distinguished Rifleman Badge, and both the prone and position NRA Distinguished Smallbore Rifleman Award.
Among Cramer’s other shooting accomplishments are the 1967 and 1977 National Indoor Conventional Rifle Championship, the 1972 National Trophy Individual Rifle Championship, President’s Hundred Tab – Rifle, 1975 National Men’s Air Rifle Champion, 1983 National 1000 yard Team Championship, NRA Intermediate Senior Position Smallbore Rifle Champion, Intermediate Senior Prone Smallbore Rifle Champion, and Senior Prone Smallbore Rifle Champion.
His international accomplishments include medals won at the 1974 World Shooting, the 1975 Pan American Games, the 1979 World Air Gun Championships, and the 1979 Pan American Games. Cramer was a member of the 2005 US Pershing Team, 2009 US Roberts Team and 15 US Dewar Teams
He has served on the NRA International Competitions Committee and the NRA Smallbore Rifle Committee. For over 28 years he was the rifle coach at Duquesne University while he taught biology at Hopewell Area High School. He was selected to membership in the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame.
Dave was actively and successfully shooting until taken ill this summer. In one of his last tournaments, the Mid Atlantic 6400, in June, he established a new Senior National Record of 6397-551X over the double Critchfield Course.
He is survived by his wife Alice and daughter Jannell.
Dave, you certainly will be missed. Thanks for all the great memories and thanks above all for serving for us. You will always be remembered. Rest In Peace…..
Thanks, Hap. May David J. Cramer rest in peace.
I forget sometimes how accomplished a shooter he really was, since to me he was just the greatest dad any girl could ever have. I know some of his happiest moments were on ranges, while both shooting and coaching, and that was no doubt because of the wonderful friends he had there.
Janell,
He was an all around class act.
Best to you and your Mom.
Hap
My cousin said it right about Uncle Dave. He had many accomplishments and was a great man. He will be sadly missed indeed. I luv ya Aunt Alice and Janell…xo
My cousin said it right about Uncle Dave. He had many accomplishments and was a great man. He will be sadly missed indeed. I luv ya Aunt Alice and Janell…xo
My deepest sympathies to you and your mom, Janell. I just got off the phone with my parents, Jim and Barb Harvey, who are very saddened to hear the news. I grew up hearing your dad’s name and know what a fine man he was. You will be in my thoughts.
Alice and Janell, My regret is that I didn’t get to spend more time with one of the most respected, kind, dependable and hard working men I have ever known. I don’t have enough room to add the adjectives I would need to describe him. I’ve known Dave since he was shooting the service rifle and when he got involved with the Pa. Rifle & Pistol Assn. He eagerly handled our Small-bore Program the same way he attacked the X-ring on the International Target. He was always one step ahead of any requests or needs of those with which he worked and the junior shooters he so faithfully trained. Not only I, the Pa. Rifle & Pistol Assn.,the Shooting Sports Community but most of all the young men and women he trained and coached and counseled will forever have an place in their hearts filled with memories of my friend Dave. My love to you, Alice and Janell Jack Lee, Pres. Pa. R. & P.
We are surely diminished as a shooting fraternity by his passing. He was a fine role model for my junior shooters and an excellent competitor. He will be sorely missed, but he left a wonderful legacy!
Bob Cain
Coach
POST 228 junior Rifle Club
Dave will be missed, he was a truly great man that helped so many in the shooting sports- including myself. He memory makes me want to be a better man…
Dave was a huge influence on my shooting and i will miss him a lot.
It was one of the most hearfelt sites I have ever seen- the shooters, past and present, locals, and those who travelled many miles from out of state who filled Lutton Funeral Home to pay their respects to my Uncle Dave. He was a very special,talented, well-loved man.
I’m deeply saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. I guess I knew him pretty much my whole life. He was in the USAMU when I was a little kid and part of the military shooting family while with the USAR. He was a good friend to both my mom and dad and the whole family. My best wishes to the Cramer family. I will have a prayer in my heart. Thanks Hap this was well written.
Danny Wigger
Good post. I’m facing a few of these issues as well..
Dear Sirs.
I was looking through the web for some shooting info when I encountered Hap Rocketto’s 8/30/2012 Memoriam for Dave Cramer.
From the data provided, this appears to be the guy I shot with on the Ft. Benning high power (post level) rifle team 1-6/1969. If so, a good man gone too soon.
I was an adequate shooter but always admired Dave’s ability and focus. He was a good companion on trips to SC, FL & TX. and let me shoot his Winchester 52D with a 12x Unertl scope in some small bore position matches.
If you have family contact info, I would like to send a belated condolence to his family.
Mike Irwin