Rest in Peace, Zack Taylor

Mark Rongers

Mark Rongers

Active member
Dear friends,

Monday, I received an email from Melissa Taylor. Her husband and soul mate of many years, Zack Taylor, passed away on the 15th of January. Zack had a series of small strokes over the past decade, and other significant illnesses.

You may recall his position as Boating Editor for Sports Afield magazine for 31 years. You may also own a copy of his masterpiece on waterfowling; 'Successful Waterfowling'. If you recall the photos in that book, you might find it interesting that Melissa took those photos herself at Zack's request. He told me that story and several others over dinner one evening.

Speaking of masterpieces, Zack is the person who compiled all of the Gordon MacQuarrie stories, and had them published into the trilogy of books that many waterfowlers and outdoorsmen and women have come to love. Zack wrote many great articles in his time. He had a penchant for sailing as well as hunting. He told me that he and a couple others were responsible for organizing the first annual Goose Festival in Easton, Md.

Zack was a prince of a man, and he will surely be missed. If you have a moment, I suggest you lift a prayer for a man who spent his life chronicling that which was precious to him. In so doing, he taught a lot of us along the way.

God Bless All,

Mark
 
My prayers that he is sitting in a ZackBox looking at a marsh in heaven with men like Gordon MacQuarrie. Great man and a true sportsman.
 
RIP Zack Taylor.... Zack was an influence to me in the waterfowling area. From his building of boats for waterfowling. He saw a need for the average duck hunter to have some thing other than a fishing boat to me his needs.

His compilation of the stories of Gorden NacQuarrie. "One of the Greats' of out door writing." It took a very good writer to recognize a great one. The effort that it took to compile those stories for that I am forever grateful.

Zack was one of those people who's influence will be felt long after his physical presents is gone. God Bless Zack.........
 
Rest in Peace Zack Taylor. Your words will live on among waterfowlers forever.

Hitch
 
Mark,
thank you for letting us know.
Melissa we have you and the rest of the family in our hearts and prayers tonight.
 
The waterfowling world is a lesser place without him. I still read his book every year. Best waterfowl book I have.
 
In 1975 Zack was the uncle of my high school sweetheart and took an early interest in my love of waterfowl. He inscribed my copy of his then recently published book wishing me the best of luck in "a long career keeping an eye on the ducks". I was a high school junior at the time. Now, thirty-three years later and after 23 years as a waterfowl biologist, his inscribed book is one of my cherished possessions and I feel that he helped launch me on my career. Unfortunately we never hunted together, even though we talked waterfowl, boats, and waterfowling for hours. I always wished that I had experienced a few days afield with him.

Zack, I am wishing you fowl weather and endless "grand passages" and smooth seas and tight lines on the days you chase striped bass.
 
Thanks Mark.I think of Zack every time I do something with my MLB Zack box.His book and other articles he wrote over the years led me on the hunt for a sailing BBSB.God Speed Zack.
 
Brad that is a really neat story. I always try to remind myself that you don't necessarily have to spend a lot of time with somebody for them to have a profound impact on you.
 
Zack will go down as one of the greats. Not for any particular writing style, but for the quality of the content he provided. Successful Waterfowling is one of my favorites and will be passed on to the next generation. His passion for duck boats had a profound impact on waterfowling and it persists today. Thank you Zack for all your many contributions.
 
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