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

Desi E Hof Nov2025 1
Desi E Hof Nov2025 1

Desirae Edmunds Takes Her Place in the NSCA Hall of Fame

Desirae Edmunds earns NSCA Hall of Fame induction, capping a sporting clays career defined by dominance and a decades-long rise from Alaska prodigy to global champion.

New: Mantis TitanX Laser Trainer

The new TitanX is an inert laser trainer pairing realistic controls with the MantisX analytics ecosystem for data-heavy dry-fire practice.

Collegiate Rifle: Nebraska Takes Over No. 1 Spot in CRCA Rankings; TCU, Navy Surge into Top Three

Nebraska claims the top CRCA rifle ranking, TCU surges to No. 2 with a big win and Navy jumps to No. 3.

Marksmanship Milestones: 1985 National Matches

The 1985 National Matches featured record scores, historic wins and major facility upgrades at Camp Perry.

Inside the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship

Nils Jonasson claims top title at multi-discipline 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship, held at Camp Atterbury in October.

White Flyer, Winchester Boost South Dakota’s New Shooting Sports Complex with Massive Target Donation

Winchester Ammunition and White Flyer Targets fuel the debut of South Dakota’s new shooting sports complex with a major donation and focus on community growth.

Interests



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