Looks like as tough old bird. Rest in Peace.
Posted on 04/23/2010 2:38:10 PM PDT by verum ago
Known as the "Salmon River Caveman," Richard Zimmerman lived an essentially 19th century lifestyle, a digital-age anachronism who never owned a telephone or a television and lived almost entirely off the land.
"He was in his home at the caves at the end, and it was his wish to die there," said Connie Fitte, who lived across the river. "He was the epitome of the free spirit."
Richard Zimmerman had been in declining health when he died Wednesday.
Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/04/23/1164899/death-of-caveman-ends-an-era-in.html#ixzz0lxgdlF8u
(Excerpt) Read more at idahostatesman.com ...
Every once in awhile a person runs across someone like that. And how fortunate to end his life as he chose to live it.
He must have been one tough guy . Imagine living in a cave through a Utah winter .
Opps . Idaho .
bump
I suppose a will wasn’t on his list of things to do. And I don’t suppose he was the type to worry about what might happen to his body afterwards anyway.
Met him once back in the 60’s when we used to run the Middle Fork until the advent of the Kennedy’s ruined it.
Very interesting guy. Used to make his own black powder rifles. Rifled his barrels by pulling a die though them while turning the barrel. Glad he was able to pass on at home.
I know but since he had spent his life out there, it does seem a shame that he has to leave the area he loved.
Nope - agreed. I was just talking about cremation and stuff with the kids, and how folks like to be spread out in their favorite mountains, lake, etc. One would think the relatives would have figured that one out.
Reminds me of this song by Geddy Lee, of Rush. (Supposedly based on a friend of his):
Home on the Strange
excerpts:
He Sleeps With A Chain Saw
Got Eyes Like An Outlaw
He Takes A Two Smoke Walk
He Don’t Like To Talk
And He Don’t Like Change
And He Don’t Like Change
You May Think He’s Deranged
But He’d Rather Be Home,
Home.. Home On The Strange
He’s A Canadian Icon
He’s Sleeps With His Clothes On
He Likes To Work With His Hands
He’s An Apolitical Man
One In A Lifetime
One In A World
One In A Life Time
One In A World
One In A Life Time
One In A World
He Sleeps With A Chainsaw
He Sings Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa
He Likes To Work With His Hands
He’s An Apolitical Man
RIP.
Looks like as tough old bird. Rest in Peace.
Obit from
http://www.riverbender.com/obits/details.cfm?id=4912
(Photo at site)
Richard E. Zimmerman, 94, also known as Dugout Dick and the Salmon River Cave Man, died Wednesday, April 21, 2010 in Salmon, Idaho.
Born February 26, 1916 in Milford, Indiana, he was the son of Ernest Zimmerman and Ruth (Pefley) Trout.
He originally went out west for his love of ranching, mining and lumber jacking. He made his home in a hand dug cave on the Salmon River in Idaho for 60 years. Because of this, he has been featured over the years in newspapers and magazines. He was a well known figure in Salmon, ID and tourists would often spend the night in one of the 14 caves he eventually dug.
Surviving is a brother, Raymond J. Zimmerman of Alton and a sister, Mildred Yeager of Alton.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Harley Zimmerman and a sister, Frances Patchet.
Graveside services will be private at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements.
FWIW, a dugout is not a cave....
RIP old timer, a guess the headstone could read
He lived free till he died.
Thanks for posting this.
I think he’s called Dugout Dick ‘cause he dug out all them caves.
I thought it would be a refreshing if sorrowful read in these times.
I’m an Idahoan and have the utmost admiration for a man who lived free and died free, and I’m proud to live in a state where that spirit is still alive and well. I wish I’d had the honor of knowing him.
Would that there are more men of his character in this country today...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.