This is one of the most difficult things I have ever written. We lost Reuben Bolieu — someone who was truly a shining light in the greater outdoor, survival, and wilderness skills community. Reuben was a talented writer, having published articles in just about every major publication in our space. Reuben was an avid adventurer, world traveler, knife designer, and survival skills instructor. He was a real one, no fluff, no bullsh*t — just experience that he loved to share in his writing, during classes and expeditions, or at events. Reuben’s professional resume was impressive, though most people who talked to him would never know it, as he had very little interest in showing off.
Reuben was so much more than the sum of his extensive professional experience. He was an inspiration, a guide, a mentor, and a friend. Reuben possessed a rare selfless kindness that the world so desperately needs. He was the kind of person who just wanted to see good people succeed and used his own personal experience and accomplishments as a toolbox to help propel others forward.
That respect and kindness extended to everyone he met. A few years ago, while attending BLADE Show in Atlanta, some of us were hanging out in “the pit” after the show had closed for the day. Reuben met us with someone we didn’t know in tow. He introduced us to him, and we all spent the night hanging out and mingling with others in the pit. I later found out that Reuben met this gentleman at the ESEE booth earlier that day, and in conversation learned that it was his first time attending BLADE Show and he didn’t know anyone else there. Reuben invited a total stranger to hang out with him and his friends simply because he seemed like a cool guy.
Reuben had a profound impact on my life. When I left my career in financial services due to health complications, I was a bit of a lost soul. I didn’t know what to do with myself, and I fell back to my old passion for writing by starting a blog. I always enjoyed writing, but it was a hobby and I was far from a professional. Reuben took the time to read my work, review my website, and offer a ton of advice as to how I could improve. He pushed me to start pitching my work to others and taught me how to do that.
While I continued to grow as a professional writer, Reuben was there to celebrate my successes and when things were challenging, he would always say, “Remember, Nick, when things get hard, just keep going.” This simple advice really got me through some of the hardest stretches of my life, and I’ve passed it on every time I’ve needed to.
I will forever credit Reuben for being a pivotal factor as to why I am where I am now, and the only silver lining in him leaving this world is he won’t be able to argue with me about the significance of his role in it anymore.
More important than any impact on my professional growth, Reuben was a friend, a true friend who cared and with no expectations beyond asking us to pay that same generosity forward. Reuben never wanted to be a burden to others and always wanted to lift others up. It was rare to hear him complain, and most of the time when he expressed frustration with other people it was because he felt they had in some way wronged someone he cared about.
While we didn’t see each other in person more than a few times a year, each time was like picking up exactly where we left off. It didn’t matter if we were relaxing around a campfire with a few drinks and good company or navigating the madness of a major industry event, good times were had.
Work talk was minimal, quickly overtaken by overly serious debates about the superior canned corned beef, shared recipes, and the stories of our adventures. Reuben was an amazing writer, but he was an even better storyteller. Every campfire was a mix of new stories and ones he’s told before — and even the ones heard many times never got old.
While many of our friends attend various outdoor events for work, the true joy that comes from them is seeing the people we don’t get to see that often. For me, and for many others, something will be forever missing.
Honestly, I could fill a book with all the things I want to say about Reuben Bolieu, but I don’t need to because everything he taught me and every good time we shared lives inside me. While Reuben has left this world, he truly lives in the people who were fortunate enough to be a part of his life.
If you knew Reuben, I’m sure you share in this grief. But, as Reuben reminded me so many times, “When things get hard, just keep going.” That is my message for you all today. Just keep going. Keep carrying Reuben’s light inside of you, and when possible, treat people as Reuben would.
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- Interview with Reuben Bolieu
- Articles by Reuben Bolieu In Recoil Offgrid
- Articles by Reuben Bolieu in Blade Magazine
Check out our other publications on the web: Recoil | Gun Digest | Blade | RecoilTV | RECOILtv (YouTube)