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

Handcannon ARTV History 1
Handcannon ARTV History 1

The Hand Cannon: The First Handheld Firearm

ARTV explores the hand cannon—the first handheld firearm in Europe—from its documented origins around 1326 through three distinct types to the eventual development of the matchlock.

Dania Vizzi Earns Women’s Skeet Silver at 2026 ISSF World Cup Tangier

Dania Vizzi earns women’s skeet silver at 2026 ISSF World Cup Tangier, falling one target short of gold medalist Bethany Norton in Morocco.

Rebuilt Trap Fields To Greet Empire Satellite Grand American Competitors

The Amateur Trapshooting Association’s 22nd Annual Empire Satellite Grand American runs six days in Cicero, N.Y., with 15 events, cosmic night shooting and newly refurbished trap fields.

Eric Harvey Goes Back-to-Back at Gator Cup, Edmunds Takes Lady Crown

Eric Harvey wins his second consecutive Gator Cup Main Event HOA with 183/200. Desi Edmunds claims Lady HOA as Winchester and White Flyer competitors sweep top titles.

A Tornado, a Target Mix-Up and Triumphant Returns: 1992 National Matches

The 1992 National Matches at Camp Perry featured tornado evacuations, a historic target mix-up and dominant performances by Lozoya, Wigger and Bernosky.

Benelli’s ‘Art of Performance’ Series Goes Inside the Making of a Lupo Barrel

First video in Benelli USA’s new “Art of Performance” series showcases the three-step barrel engineering process in its Lupo bolt-action rifle.

Interests



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