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WWII veteran and lifelong outdoorsman Edgar Soyke turned 90 on Apr. 6. and also celebrates his 64th year as a member of the White Oak Rod and Gun Club( located in North Huntingdon) this year. Soyke is a longtime resident of Irwin, as well as a member of a local church and Masonic Lodge. At 90 he is actively involved in weekly shotgun shooting events and participates in club Rimfire Fun Shoots. He still goes deer hunting every season and is an active turkey hunter. He is an active member of White Oak Rod and Gun Club Board of Directors. As such, he holds three positions simultaneously: President ex-Officio, NRA Secretary and CMP Committee Chairman( Civilian Marksmanship Program).
Soyke has served in nearly every leadership capacity possible within the club, however his greatest passion is teaching the community’ s young people to enjoy shooting sports and the outdoors as educated hunters and trappers. Soyke has been an NRA Certified Hunter Trapper Education Instructor for 50 + years and has been recognized twice as NRA Instructor of the Year. He is a NRA Certified Instructor in Shotgun, Rifle and Pistol. He is also a Certified Range Safety Officer. Soyke organized summer youth shotgun classes for decades before relinquishing the management responsibilities but has continued as a Certified Shotgun Instructor the past few years.
Every summer the program provides three absolutely free month long sessions for approximately 60 local youths, introducing them to safe and fun shotgun clay sports. Soyke still actively participates in club work days.
On Monday, Apr. 4, at 7:30 p. m. during the White Oak Rod & Gun Club’ s monthly membership meeting, Soyke was presented with a cake and recognized for his service to the Westmoreland communities, the NRA and the White Oak Rod and Gun Club. Photos and Information Submitted by John Amos.
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