Nick Hartung and houndsThis has been a difficult year for Goshen Hounds (MD) and its members. We have lost four men closely associated with us: former huntsman Nicholas Hartung, board member Bruce Sieling, ex-MFH Hansen Watkins, and, most recently, Irving Victor Marken Abb.
Nicholas Hartung
Nicholas Hartung was Goshen’s second huntsman, and we learned of his passing earlier this year. Nick succeeded the legendary Frank Fraley (now honored in the Huntsmen’s Room at Morven Park) and hunted our hounds from 1979 to 1990. Nick came to us during the very trying time of the explosion of the local deer population and had to deal with all of the problems that came with that change in the local game. Nick was always a pragmatist and simply stuck to his task of working toward a deer-resistant if not -proof pack of American hounds.
Nick also asked permission of the Goshen Masters to try and develop an entirely red or lemon and white pack of hounds. As you can see in the attached photo, he did indeed accomplish his goal before retiring from hunting to become a Virginia gentleman farmer.
Bruce Sieling and MagicBruce Sieling
On June 16 we learned of another unexpected death of one of our Board members and very ardent supporters, Bruce Sieling. Bruce, well known to all who rode with Goshen, was a happy blend of “country club and redneck” as described by one of his closest friends and a description that Bruce would have heartily endorsed. On his big cross-bred blue roan horse, Magic, Bruce delighted in riding at the front and being in the midst of the action. Bruce is survived by his son, Sean Sieling. Bruce was a fourth generation brick mason, and served as president and CEO of the family business. In addition to foxhunting, Bruce was an avid golfer. A totally committed supporter of the hunt, he will be missed by all who rode with him.
Hansen Watkins, ex-MFH
As we at Goshen recovered from this unexpected blow, we were greeted with the unpleasant news that one of our most respected and beloved “old time” members also made his final run. Ex-Master Hansen Watkins passed away on July 5, 2012, thankfully, peacefully at his home. For those of us who had the privilege of riding behind Master Watkins, his loss is a great one. Hansen was a tall engaging man with real “Master presence.” When in his company, you simply knew that you were talking to “a Master.” Never pretentious in the slightest, but always in command in the hunt field, Hansen was a joy to ride with and taught this writer much about the art of foxhunting and Mastership.
An early member of Goshen Hounds, Hansen served as Chairman of the Board of Governors from 1968 to 1969 before being appointed to the Mastership in 1973. He served in that capacity until 1985 with only a brief interruption in 1980 when he retired briefly to Florida. While serving as Joint-Master, Hansen established what was at the time a novel concept of a “second field” for those a bit less secure over three-foot-six-inch coops. It could be quite a thrill to hunt at a full gallop, swerve away to another trail that avoided a jump only to rejoin the field shortly afterwards and have never missed a moment of sport! Hansen was indeed a Master at providing such leadership.
Hansen is survived by his wife Sherry and children Peter, Sarah, Tim, and Susan and grandchildren Amanda, Billy, and Thomas Watkins. He is also survived by his stepson, Craig Kapfer.
In addition to his love of foxhunting and equestrian sports, Hansen was an active participant in Lions Club activities through the Rockville club and was awarded the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellow Award for Dedicated Humanitarian Service from that organization.
Irving AbbIrving Victor Marken Abb
On July 13 Mr. Irving Victor Marken Abb passed away quietly at his home in Woodbine, Maryland. We hope this will be our final loss for a long while. Irving was different from the others in that he never actually rode with Goshen. He came to Goshen when his riding days were over as a consequence of a massive stroke that had left him with significant paralysis. However, neither the joy of living nor the love of the chase were dimmed in the least!
Born eighty-six years ago in the then rather quaint town of Frederick, Maryland, with what many would consider the veritable silver spoon in his mouth, Irving was never quite content to just sit back and watch life, but insisted that life be lived to the fullest each and every minute. Even after suffering that debilitating stroke some years ago, Irving maintained his zest for life and his appreciation for the pleasures derived from good food, good drink, fast horses, and fine hounds.
It was my personal pleasure to know Irving for about four decades. During that time I had the opportunity to observe this extraordinary man in a wide variety of situations. In all of that time I never saw him respond in anything but the most gentlemanly fashion, although he was capable of delivering a rapier response when called for. Irving was never one that left for long any doubt about his personal feelings on any subject, but at the same time, if he sensed a potential disagreement area, he quietly moved the conversation to the next topic. Unpleasantness was simply not to be long endured!
I could not have received a better introduction to the sport of foxhunting than that provided to me personally by Irving Abb. At the time, Irving had established his own pack and hunted them regularly as the Big Meadow Hounds from his farm in western Howard County, Maryland. With two daughters that loved ponies, I had been recruited to serve as the adult leader, along with my wife Frankie, of the Centaurs 4H club. Irving’s daughter Victoria happened to be a member of that group and invited us to join her Dad for a day of hunting. What fun!
Without proper boots or jacket, a borrowed helmet, and a horse from a great friend, I went out on what would be a turning point in my own life. Spending the next three to four hours between being terrified and exhilarated, I came back with Mr. John Armentrout who told me as we rode in, “When you get back in you can tell all the lies you want, but when you are out here in the hunt field, you be careful!” For the next thirty years of foxhunting, I tried to abide by that advice.
When we returned from that first ever hunt, Irving and his wife “Chi Chi” greeted us all warmly and provided some of the most delicious food imaginable. Even from this great distance in time I can vividly recall wonderful oyster stew and authentic Maryland beaten biscuits! Taken in front of a blazing fireplace, it is hard to imagine a more satisfying experience.
After suffering the stroke, Irving became a frequent car-follower at Goshen, and when I retired from riding and assumed a similar role, he and I often would ride together. What a great opportunity for me to absorb the knowledge and lore of the hunt from one who had lived it for about sixty years!
At the simple graveside ceremony for Irving’s final resting, a stirring and touching eulogy was given by his long-time friend and hunting companion Charles Shaffer. At the conclusion of his remarks, Charlie walked a ways off, pronounced in a loud and clear voice, “Irving, let’s hunt,” and with a flourish of his hunt whip and a resounding crack, it was time for the special sounds of “gone to ground” and then “gone away” by retired huntsman Allen Forney. Irving would have loved it!
Posted September 6, 2012
Tom Pardoe is MFH of the Goshen Hounds (MD), a periodic contributor to Foxhunting Life, and a knowledgeable participant all things foxhunting in Maryland!