The loss of an iconic Montanan

[El Jason]

'The best of us': Montana cowboy poet Wally McRae dead at 89

Songwriter Stephanie Davis says McRae was “just the best of us: the best of Montana, the best poet.”

www.bozemandailychronicle.com

I just saw this tonight. I met Wally in 1999. He was a sun baked cowboy in a dilapidated Datsun pickup. Before I knew it he had me laughing and hanging on every word. I later found out he was rather famous. You wouldn’t have known it.

The family ranch was in block management. He and his son Clint were staunch conservationists for the Montana prairies. A salt of the earth family, and one that made my life better knowing these folks.

God bless you Wally.

 

[antlerradar]

I should have PM you last Monday when I first heard the bad news. Knew you had to have know Wally.
My condolences to Clint, Allison and Natalie.
RIP Wally and Ruth(passed last year)

 

[Nameless Range]

I love hearing about folks who enrich the world.

On another thread, I put up this video of Wally reciting his poem "Things of Intrinsic Worth". Gives me goosebumps a little.

 

[Fire_9]

I love hearing about folks who enrich the world.

On another thread, I put up this video of Wally reciting his poem "Things of Intrinsic Worth". Gives me goosebumps a little.

I lived/worked there for almost 8 years. I cannot fathom what it was like to see that facility built from his perspective. There were a lot of people that did not see eye to eye with him as he scrutinized the industry but their vision was most definitely blurred by dollar signs.

 

[El Jason]

On another thread, I put up this video of Wally reciting his poem "Things of Intrinsic Worth". Gives me goosebumps a little.

His poetry readings in Colstrip were so worth going to.

 

[El Jason]