Ramapough Sportsmen Association History
Back in 1936, John Rauner was dissatisfied with the operation of the county range. For two nights in a row he had tried to get on the firing line of the first indoor range in Rockland County. Since there was only one firing point he didn't get to shoot. So he, and his brother Elwood, over a cup of coffee, decided to start their own club.
And so, the Ramapough Revolver Association was born.
Among those in the original group, or who joined shortly thereafter, were Wilbur Vander Beek, Victor Satraneck, Edwin Seibold, Louis Spitzer, John McGrath, Sam Crodell, Robert Holden and, of course, the Rauner brothers. Fortunately, through Robert Holden, the new club was able to lease premises for a range south of Spring Valley. Unfortunately, the place had been used to house pigs and cleaning up was some job. It was then equipped with lights, heat, windows and a back stop.
John DiTore secured the use of the outdoor range in the back of the old Suffern Police Department station house at the west end of Lafayette Avenue. Here again, the members were called upon to do the clean up and equipping job.
Then came the Ford plant in Mahwah, the rerouting of the Erie railroad tracks and the subsequent loss of the range. Major credit for getting the present facilities goes to Dolph Vilardi and to the Erie Lackawana Railroad which lived up to their promise and not only provided the land but also contributed monetarily. Again, there was a clean up and setup job.
In 1946, the organization became affiliated with the National Rifle Association and has maintained membership ever since.
In civic affairs, the club was active in civil defense (conducted patrols and were assigned to utilities in the county) during the war, helped train both civilians and police officers in shooting techniques and inaugurated the first hunter safety-course in the state. John Rauner was the first instructor and the program was then continued by Jack Gardiner, Willis Coates and Jim Donlan.
After the war, club members who had participated in civil defense and other activities were appointed deputy sheriffs and in this capacity, engaged in competition with other law enforcement agencies. They also participated in the North Jersey Civilian Pistol League popularly known as the "frostbite league" as shooting was done on Sunday mornings from October to April in any weather. Ramapough Revolver Association was also a charter member in the North Jersey Indoor Pistol League and in the first year (1950), finished tied for first place with Fairlawn.
In 1950 and 1951, the club sponsored two open outdoor matches, neither of which was financially successful.
When the indoor league folded in 1959, the club shot at the range in Tenafly. The members also started the Orange County league at West Point in 1961.
Special commendation should go to Ray Amado, who was the club Secretary/Treasurer during the mid-fifties, when the club was without a range. He managed to keep the group together and to have a team on the firing line in the North Jersey Pistol League. Commendation should also go to Gary Onderdonk, who over the years has made many contributions.
In June of 1983, under the direction of President Don Schreeck, the club became affiliated with the DCM program, of the United States Army. This enabled the club to provide government issued rifles and ammunition to our members. This time period also saw the startup of a junior club, which had over 20 members the first year.
In most recent history, the club has been making many improvements to the range facilities. During the period 1984-1985, sections of blacktop were installed to help provide a flat shooting position at the 50 foot line for our junior club. Many club members have made improvements to the range house for the benefit of the entire membership. The backstop was replaced by the club in August of 1985. Many thanks have to go to Alan Kramer, Borys Rywak and Peter Tarley for their work on the improvement project. The Village of Suffern and Orange & Rockland donated the much needed manpower and equipment to make the renovations a success,
In March of 1987, the Ramapough Revolver Association changed its name and became a not-for-profit corporation in the state of New York, known as the Ramapough Sportsmen Association. Mark Dorfman was the first President of the newly created corporation.
If anyone has been overlooked in this brief review, it was unintentional and can be corrected if the facts are presented to the Executive Committee.
ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS +
William Austin 1966 -1967
Frank Worner 1961 -1968
William Austin 1969 -1970
Paul Berkowitz 1971 -1972
Sydney Germansky 1972 – 19 1975
Robert Lick 1975 -1977
Hany Gasthalter 1977 - 1979
Michael Klar 1979 -1980
Julius Elsberg 1980 -1981
Michael Klar 1981 -1982
Donald Schreeck 1982 -1985
Mark Dorfman 1985 -1991
Bill Steiner 1991 -1994
* Some names not known due to missing club records