Shooting Sports Community Mourns The Loss Of Dale Kaufer

by
posted on November 2, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
kaufer-2.jpg
Copeland Funeral Homes

With great sadness, we share the news of the passing of Dale Kaufer on Thursday, October 21, 2021. He was a longtime range official at the National Matches and at the NRA National Police Shooting Championships, as well as a lifetime NRA member. Kaufer was 77.

Kaufer grew up in Pennsylvania and after he graduated high school, he served in the U.S. Army. After his time in the service was up, he moved back to his hometown of Corapolis, Pa., where he married and had a daughter.

For many years at Camp Perry during the NRA National Pistol Championships, Kaufer was the range director. He was a skilled shooter and also worked as a firearms instructor.

As reported by Tim Grant of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Monday, November 1, Kaufer worked for more than 20 years as a sheriff's deputy assigned to Pittsburgh International Airport, primarily handling and training bomb-sniffing dogs. He retired from that role in 1997.

Many competitive shooters who knew Kaufer from attending the National Matches turned to social media to express their condolences. Here are a few of them.

"Rest In Peace my friend. A life well spent and ended too soon!"

"Dale was a great guy. Always nice at Perry. Will miss you Dale."

"Sorry to hear of Dale's passing. He will be missed."

"Remember him well. Worked with him."

Services for Kaufer were conducted over the weekend and earlier this week, including bagpipes played by a close police officer friend. Instead of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Dale's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. See the full obituary for Dale Kaufer at the Copeland Funeral Homes website.

Dale Kaufer

Legends: Dale Kaufer
January 16, 1944 - October 21, 2021

Latest

ARC Rifle Zeroing KL Video 6
ARC Rifle Zeroing KL Video 6

NRA America’s Rifle Challenge: Kyle Lamb’s Guide to Zeroing Your Rifle for ARC

Kyle Lamb zeroes three rifles across ARC’s Stock, Limited and Open divisions, then demonstrates height-over-bore holds at 10 yards and mil-based elevation dials out to 384 yards.

Anderson Shares Singles Title After 450-Target Marathon at Southern Grand American

Weston Anderson and Ricky Marshall, Jr., declared Singles Co-Champions after breaking 450 consecutive targets at 2026 Southern Grand American.

Clay Blackketter Claims Open Division Title at 2026 Southern Iowa Showdown

Team Hornady’s Clay Blackketter wins Open division at 2026 Southern Iowa Showdown shooting A-Tip Match bullets.

Team Remington Dominates Junior, Veteran Divisions at 46th Southern Grand American

Team Remington captures two championship titles at the 46th Southern Grand American at Silver Dollar Shooters Club in Florida.

USA Shooting Junior Program Gets a Boost From MidwayUSA Foundation Lones Wigger Endowment Grant

A grant from the MidwayUSA Foundation’s Lones Wigger Endowment will cover ammunition, targets, entry fees and travel for USA Shooting’s junior athletes, including the 2026 ISSF Junior World Championship in Germany.

Your NRA In Your Pocket: Official App Now Available on iOS and Android

The NRA’s new official app offers a digital membership card, NRA-ILA news, digital magazines, local event search and exclusive member benefits on iOS and Android.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.