He is not “My Leader”

Posted on October 19, 2013 by admin

Another forum posted a picture of Rusty Kern under the heading  “Our Leader”.  He is not my leader. To me he is just a person that publishes a magazine on our hobby. 

Our hobby has no leaders.

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42 Responses to He is not “My Leader”

  1. Gary Kuepfert says:
    October 20, 2013 at 10:17 AM

    I don,t have a dog in this fight, but that was kinda harsh wasn,t it?
    Gary

    Reply
    • admin says:
      October 20, 2013 at 1:18 PM

      Gary
      I don’t think it was harsh words, I was saying my feelings. I have very little use for Rusty, if you are not in his little clique forget it. I offered information such as the Marx Wyatt Earp in various colors with no strings attached and was rebuffed.

      Reply
  2. Don Perkins says:
    October 20, 2013 at 12:18 PM

    And Rusty Kern is certainly the publisher of the leading hobby magazine for all us collectors of plastic playsets and figures. It’s the leading site of beautiful photography, for collector information, new product reviews, news of persons in the hobby, show reviews, etc. I’m glad we have it. Plus, Rusty and his wife are nice people. They tend to put a positive spin on all people and things they cover, unlike the publisher of Playset Magazine’s predecessor, who, despite his many virtues, could sometimes get a little nasty about things. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Rusty engage in a negative attack on those in the hobby who might hold a different viewpoint. Rusty’s magazine makes the hobby positive and fun, like it should be. Because of his influence, I do view Rusty as a leader in our hobby, and uniquely so, by virtue of his magazine.

    Reply
    • admin says:
      October 20, 2013 at 1:22 PM

      Don
      I will accept Rusty as a leader in the hobby not as our leader. Our leader implies we all below him, which we are not.

      Reply
  3. pjr51 says:
    October 20, 2013 at 5:25 PM

    Did anyone see the quote marks ? This is what they mean when used in the manner in which they were.

    These quotation marks are suggested to imply skepticism or disagreement with the quoted terminology.

    Didn’t you teach English ?

    Reply
    • admin says:
      October 20, 2013 at 6:35 PM

      Robinson
      First, I never have never had heard of the use of quotes for irony until today. I only used quotation marks for direct quote or a speech.
      Second, I did not teach English. I have taught Business math, Business, Investments, History, Social Studies, Computer Science and Basic Language. I have not taught in 15 or more years.
      Third, you assume I had a good English classes in structure and word usage. It was the opposite, the Allentown School district was more interested when I went there in literature.
      Fourth, since you assume that people got joke, I wonder how many other people did not get it.
      Fifth, it was not a funny.

      Reply
      • pjr51 says:
        October 20, 2013 at 11:53 PM

        Robinson ? How rude. I will give ya items 1,2,3. As for item 4 many got the point/joke. As for 5 many also found it funny more then can imagine. And as your dislike of the Kern’s is well known I can see why you did not find it fummy

        Reply
        • admin says:
          October 21, 2013 at 9:37 AM

          As I said before I did not know the used of quotes for irony until yesterday. Even if I did know that use I did not find it funny. Y

          Reply
  4. mark Hegeman says:
    October 20, 2013 at 9:01 PM

    I agree 100% with what Don said so well.

    From experience through all the times I have conversed with him, Rusty does not consider himself our leader. There may be some who feel he is but they are applying that label to him. One cannot fault Rusty for a moniker someone else applies. Nor is it fair to apply that moniker to Rusty if the intent is to be hurtful.

    On sarcasm verses irony: Irony is conveying something by saying the exact opposite. Sarcasm is meant to hurt someone. Irony is not. There are some situations where you apply irony but sarcasm is the result. Sarcasm is always mockery.

    I have contributed many photos for use in Playset or just to share knowledge or ask questions. I have sent Rusty CDs with 150 photos of some aspect of my collection (because he mentioned he might do an article on it) which have never been used. I have also supplied requested emergency photos that were used the next issue. Hopefully one does not take it personally if photos are not used – I would be in a world of depression if I did.

    Reply
  5. Bill Nevins says:
    October 21, 2013 at 2:46 AM

    There are plenty of leaders who grace this hobby. I can think of Tim Geppert who published the first plastics guide. Tom Terry of PFPC. Kent Sprecher for his excellent website and identification guide.
    Bill Murphy of Excalibur Hobbies who reintroduced many of the old Marx molds, on the suppliers side and yes, of course, you Paul with the old Stads Newsletter. There are others, I’m sure, that I can’t think of right now.
    But there has never been “one leader” ( unless you asked Peter Fritz, some years ago……LOL).

    I understand your point perfectly and I agree with it, but I think that the person making the identification probably was just using the wrong title. I count Rusty and Kathy among my collector friends. I’ve written several articles for them and sent in plenty of photos. I very much enjoy the magazine, as I enjoyed PFPC. So, in that sense,
    they are leaders because they perpetuate the hobby, as you do Paul. And that’s a good thing. It’s healthy to have different outlets and opinons. I’m grateful to all of the people I mentioned above for what they provided for the rest of us. David Schaffer, for one, has always been helpful to me whenever I’ve asked him for his advice or information.
    I consider him an authority. Perhaps that’s the word that should have been used.

    Reply
    • Ed Borris says:
      October 21, 2013 at 7:09 AM

      I try to stay out of the personality portion of this hobby as much as I can. Sure there are people I like and some I dislike. However, I try to leave that out of the equation as much as possible. I don’t think there is a leader per say, if I was to consider leaders, I would chose people like Ron Barzso, Nick Versteeg , Kent Sprecher and Stad. However, those are my choices and I’m sure others have their choices too. Conte could have been king, but somewhere he lost his way.

      Reply
  6. Don Perkins says:
    October 21, 2013 at 12:10 PM

    A couple of the above posts inspired me, just for fun, to create my own list of plastic toy soldier “leaders” —- various hobbyists who by their actions, contributions, and sometimes mere presence and enthusiasm, have contributed to inspire and keep me going in the hobby.

    I list them alphabetically, so no one feels slighted:

    Ron Barzso
    Rick Berry
    Rick Bracamontes
    Barry Carter
    Richard Conte
    Rick Eber
    Allan Ford
    Peter Fritz
    Tim Geppert
    Mark Hegeman
    Rusty & Kathy Kern
    Bill Lango
    Gary Linden
    Dan Mclean
    Bill Murphy
    Warren Mitchell
    Bill Murphy
    Dave Payne
    Don Pielin
    Joseph Saine
    Kent Sprecher
    Paul Standinger
    John Stengel
    Tom Terry
    Francis Turner
    Nick & Deana Versteeg

    The above are the names which come to mind when I think about it for 10 minutes. I’m sure if I thought a little longer a few more names would come to me. Feel free to nominate any others who by their stand-out participation in the hobby have become true hobby leaders.

    Reply
    • Ed Borris says:
      October 21, 2013 at 12:19 PM

      Oh man Don, I don’t see Ed Borris, you mean I am not inspiring?

      Reply
    • Mark Hegeman says:
      October 21, 2013 at 12:44 PM

      Great list! I appreciate being included. I do try to help people out with info whenever I can and always enjoy talking toy soldiers.

      I would add a few names:
      Jason Turner – not in the spotlight but I do not think Francis could do what he has done without Jason’s help.
      George Kroll – a very low key but knowledgable guy
      Alan Miller – between the museum and hosting the Marx convention he has contributed to the stability of and given focus to the hobby.
      Richard O’Brien – those books were the best we had for ages.
      Denis over in Russia
      The folks at Plastic Warrior
      Andreas in Germany (Figuren Magazin)

      Reply
      • admin says:
        October 21, 2013 at 8:49 PM

        Mark
        The Plastic Warrior guys are Brian Carrick, Peter Evans and Paul Morehead. Three great guys. Brian was kind enough to take me to a toy show and to the train so get to the to the airport the first time I was in England. Peter Evans has become one of my best friends. Laurie and I enjoy the times we share with Peter when we were over in the England. Paul Morehead I first correspond with too many years ago back in 1970’s. He is the workhouse of Plastic warrior. Yes they are leaders.

        Reply
  7. Don Perkins says:
    October 21, 2013 at 1:00 PM

    Ed, somehow, someway, you slipped my mind. Who could not be motivated by your inspiring conversions, and unfailing presence at the shows with major collections of key Marx items? I hereby add you to the list. I think I also inadvertently overlooked Paul Gruendler, Steve Weston, and Tony (his Italian surname suddenly fails my recollection, because I’m always on a first-name basis with him when we speak by phone) of Armies in Plastic.

    Reply
  8. Andy Keliar says:
    October 21, 2013 at 6:06 PM

    As far as honesty, fairness, decency, and integrity, the late Bill Hamilton belongs on any list of hobby leaders. He was a guy I could always trust.

    Reply
  9. George Albany says:
    October 21, 2013 at 7:53 PM

    Don’t forget to add Gary Dutko to the list of plastic guys!

    Reply
  10. Bill Nevins says:
    October 21, 2013 at 8:30 PM

    Andy, Absolutely!!!! Bill Hamilton was first class all the way. I always looked forward to Hackensack, because it was my one chance a year to see Bill. God bless you, Bill. There are plenty of us who still rememeber you.

    Reply
  11. Don Perkins says:
    October 22, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    I did not ever have the pleasure of actually meeting Bill Hamilton, but saw many of his full page ads in the old PFPC. It wasn’t until I read his obituary in Playset Magazine that I realized what a great leader of the hobby he really was. As for Bill Nace, I purchased from him at both OTSN and Michigan Toy Soldier Show. He was always such an asset to the shows with his neat, well-organized boxes of clean Marx figures, and was such a pleasant down-to-earth person to talk to. And I agree completely with Stad in adding our English cousins — Peter Evans, Brian Carrick, and Paul Morehead. I thoroughly enjoyed the pages of Plastic Warrior for years. As a matter of fact, I believe my first annual subscription to Plastic Warrior got routed through Stad’s Newsletter.

    Reply
  12. Don Perkins says:
    October 22, 2013 at 2:37 PM

    OK, here’s the final (probably semi-final) list of leaders in our plastic toy soldier world hobby — those who by their actions, contributions, knowledge, and sometimes mere presence and enthusiasm, have contributed to inspire and keep us enjoying this wonderful hobby. It’s amazing how many leaders we really have, some sadly deceased, but once again listed alphabetically, so no one need feel slighted:

    Ron Barzso
    Rick Berry
    Ed Borris
    Rick Bracamontes
    Brian Carrick (England)
    Barry Carter
    Tony Ciccarello
    Richard Conte
    Don Ducotte
    Rick Eber
    Peter Evans (England)
    Allan Ford
    Peter Fritz
    Tim Geppert
    Paul Gruendler
    Bill Hamilton
    Mark Hegeman
    Rusty & Kathy Kern
    Rick Koch
    George Kroll
    Bill Lango
    Gary Linden
    Dan McLean
    Alan Miller
    Warren Mitchell
    Paul Morehead (England)
    Bill Murphy
    Bill Nevins
    Bill Nace
    Richard O’Brien
    Dave Payne
    Don Pielin
    Joseph Saine
    Kent Sprecher
    Paul Standinger
    John Stengel
    Tom Terry
    Francis Turner
    Jason Turner
    Nick & Deana Versteeg
    Steve Weston (England)
    Mark Young
    Andreas (Germany – Figuren Magazine)
    Denis (Russia)

    Have we captured everyone this time? Inadvertently left anyone out? Everyone on this list deserves our thanks for the contributions and enrichment they have brought us as leaders of our hobby.

    Reply
    • Ed Borris says:
      October 22, 2013 at 2:51 PM

      I think you left your own name out.

      Reply
    • Mark Hegeman says:
      October 22, 2013 at 3:01 PM

      This is a rather interesting discussion. I beleive what we have come up with is a list of “Influential People” rather than necessarily “Leaders” People with enthusiasm are just as important to the hobby as those who may have authoritative knowledge. It takes many aspects of influence to keep a hobby alive and keep collectors engaged.

      Reply
  13. Paul Gruendler says:
    October 22, 2013 at 7:07 PM

    I was my high school class president, played Abe Lincoln for Northwestern University’s Children’s Theater and walked point with the AMERICAL in Vietnam. But the people who influenced me the most in this great hobby – by their example – have been:
    Gene Worms
    Gary Linden
    Paul Stadinger
    Ron Angleton
    Tim Geppert
    Gene Scala
    John Bowers
    Dave Petrusak
    Glenn Smith
    David Schafer
    Art Rostel
    Marc Gaynes
    Mike Holverson
    Ron Lizorty
    Kent Sprecher
    Rusty Kern
    Greg Liska
    Mark Young
    Richard O’Brien
    Bryan Davis
    Glenn Holcomb
    Steve Riefman
    ‘
    … and others. I have had the pleasure of visiting some of the most incredible collections on Planet Earth. I have kept confidence with many collectors who wish to remain private about their loves. I count as leaders those who share their knowledge and enthusiasm of this wonderful hobby without qualms, or pats on the back.

    Tom Terry

    Reply
  14. Paul Gruendler says:
    October 22, 2013 at 7:08 PM

    OOPS! I meant for Tom to be up in the BODY of my message! … sorry!

    Reply
  15. Don Perkins says:
    October 22, 2013 at 7:54 PM

    It looks like our final Master List is not so final, and I think I’ll wait a little longer before incorporating the above into a new plastic toy soldier Leader/Influential List.

    But some of Mr. Gruendler’s names I had completely overlooked myself:

    —Ron Angleton, who I just met at last month’s OTSN, and who appeared with Rick Eber as a co-narrator on Rusty Kerns DVD “Combat Sets”;

    — Glenn Smith, a lifelong collector with a wealth of knowledge, and a neighbor here in Michgan who always sets up at the Michigan Toy Soldier Show, and who in fact convinced me to attend my first OTSN;

    — fellow attorneys Marc Gaynes and Mike Holverson, of Fort Dearborn Collectibles, whom I always talk to at OTSN, and their old partner and good friend, now-deceased Walt Keener, who was president of the Michigan Collectors Club when I first joined, and who also was employed as the Assistant Curator of the Old Fort Wayne State Historic Site and Museum, before he and his wife relocated to a new museum post in the Chicago area.

    — And who could forget Ron Lizorty, who would creatively reconceptualize the making of new Marx playset boxes, not only remaking them, but also improving the artwork on them while retaining the original style and appearance. It just shows this hobby has some truly creative artists within its ranks.

    Other of Mr. Gruendler’s names I’ve heard of, but don’t really know, which only goes to show that Paul Gruendler has been circulating in the hobby longer than me.

    Reply
    • Ed Borris says:
      October 23, 2013 at 7:04 AM

      This list could go on forever, or at least until it names everyone in the hobby. No one mentioned Rick Keller and his tubs of dump figures, Steve Conlon, Roger Ross (he hand made my first Alamo), Mike Kutnick ( he of the shop with a cop fame and Lizorty box auctions), Jim Clouse ( Barszo terrain scultptor) and Eric Koopermeiners a relatively new comer, but one who has brought a lot of new finds and energy to the hobby. Calvin Ploughman, Bob Jones, Fred Bauer and others who I can’t remember. I guess in the end we are all instrumental to the hobby and we are a shrinking lot rather than an ever growing group. To quote that famous poet Tiny Tim, “God bless us each and every one.”

      Reply
  16. Don Perkins says:
    October 23, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    I think you’re right, Ed. Even the hobbyists like myself who don’t do much more than subscribe to the hobby magazines, show up at shows and buy figures, and basically interact with other collectors comprise an essential element of the hobby. And unfortunately you’re right about your second observation — we seem to be a shrinking lot. But as Stad once said (I’m paraphrasing him), “I still enjoy it and am going to keep on with it until it totally ends.”

    Reply
  17. Peter Evans says:
    October 24, 2013 at 5:21 AM

    Thank you for the ego boost!
    But I would prefer ” Do not follow, for I shall not lead, walk besides me and learn as I do”

    Reply
  18. Eddie White says:
    October 24, 2013 at 2:32 PM

    How about Jim McGough? and Glenn Ridenour?

    Reply
  19. Joe Joria says:
    November 2, 2013 at 12:08 AM

    A’hem.

    Reply

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