When one door closes, another opens.
Cal Pappas loved to share his experiences hunting in Africa. The sparkle in his eyes and the enthusiasm in his voice drew in his listeners. When he finished talking, and while you were dreaming, he would say, "Do you want to come along? You can go with me." And many said, "Yes!" We did.
Three of us Alaskans soaked up Cal's advice. Then we followed his checklists, prepared our documents, and packed our bags.
On Monday evening, May 23, 2022, Cal and the three of us were to meet at the Anchorage Airport to begin our journey to Haakdoorn Safari in South Africa. Two of us would hunt their entire trip at Haakdoorn. After five days of hunting, Cal and I were headed to Zimbabwe for a little over two weeks. He wanted to share the sights of his beloved Zimbabwe, and his good friend who lives there offered to be our guide. Amazing adventures. I was excited.
On Sunday, the day before our flight, I planned to drive down to Cal's house from Fairbanks. Cal called at about 9:00 a.m., saying his bags were packed and on the porch. He asked when I would be leaving, and I thought in half an hour but said I'd call to confirm. Cal never answered the phone when I made that call, the calls to tell him of my delay, the call when I left home at 1:00 p.m., or any of the many calls I made on my drive down to Willow. It was un-Cal-like not to return calls.
About half an hour from his home, I got a call from Cal's house-sitter. She had something to say about Cal but did not want to tell me while I was driving. When I arrived at the turn-off to Cal's road, his house-sitter was waiting for me.
Cal had passed away.
We will not know the exact cause until the state medical examiner has the results. The EMTs said it was quick.
I expect my morning conversation with Cal was his last. His house-sitter arrived at his home at 3:00 p.m. and found him. When I drove up around 6:00 p.m., the Troopers were doing their jobs. I looked toward the house and saw Cal's packed bags on the porch.
Packed bags. Cal always packed two pairs of hunting shorts and two t-shirts, one dressier shirt for visiting friends or going out for a nice dinner. There was gear, ammo, laptop, binos, meds, the usual. But what of the rest of the space in the various bags? Gifts. Gifts for all of his friends who make his trips so delightful. His bags are filled with items to make other people happy!
A Trooper asked if I would secure the house and stay. I agreed. Emotionally I knew I could not make that trip now. I lost my friend.
The comments about Cal on this thread are warm, thankful, and positive. Cal's door to us on earth is now closed—he walked through another. But while he was with us, Cal opened doors for people—be it talking about the double rifles, ammunition or hunting in Africa or Alaska, and much more. He certainly opened a door for me.
As some of you pointed out, Cal lived his life in a way that allowed him to pursue his love of rifles and hunt in Africa. I knew him to be a brilliant man academically and with the craft. He thoroughly enjoyed his firearms and would shoot almost every day. He had a heated shed with a rifle rest that fit in an open window—he could shoot through the Alaska winter. He built his log home, furnished it sparsely, and surrounded himself with reminders of his travels—his trophies, skins, and beautiful Africa carvings. Cal was humble. Cal was generous. Cal genuinely cared you had what you needed and a place to stay.
Kevin Peacock—special note for you—I have Cal’s "Double Rifle Primer" book he wanted to give you at the Harare airport. I can bring it when I land in Harare next year, or there might be a way to get it to you sooner. I will contact you.
I have another book Cal was bringing—if anyone here arranged for him to deliver a book to you, please get in touch with me. I do not know who it should go to.
Johan, I have Cal's gift for you and will try to send it over with someone in August/September. I will be in contact.
Take care, everyone.
