RIP: Ol’ Remus and the Woodpile Report

On July 8th we lost a legend in the online patriot community – Ol’ Remus. As you may recall, he had previously lost his wife in March of 2020 and had been posting intermittently after that. His blog had not be updated with a post since June 9th and people were starting to get concerned because, even after losing his wife, he was only disconnected for a couple of weeks. Over at Western Rifle Shooters, it was reported in a screenshot from the comments of this article at American Digest that Ol’ Remus succumbed to cancer on July 8th (he had been diagnosed only three weeks prior).

Not much was known about Ol’ Remus in terms of his actual identity (that isn’t even his real photograph), but he was known throughout the patriot blog community as a good and kind man who never had beef or petty arguments with anyone. According to some online (his site currently 404s anything but the homepage) he first posted online in September 2004.

His posts would start off with his thoughts on a certain topic(s) and perhaps a few links included. It would then move to a list of hyperlinks of what Ol’ Remus found interesting. The last two sections were also links, but with a paragraph from the article as a synopsis. Sprinkled in between the sections, he would always have either an old photograph, an old advertisement, or a beautiful painting along with a description.

Here is his final words of wisdom. Rest in Peace brother. The writers of AP salute you.

As I said here two weeks ago:

July will tell the truth about the economy. I’ve chosen November as the month of general truth, whether the years following will be of manageable coping, of unexampled disaster, or something in between.

We’re closing in on July. Here’s what’s developing:

National and world economies are collapsing into a 1930s-like Depression. Well regarded experts disagree on whether we’re facing runaway inflation or deflation but certain it will be one or the other. There are food shortages with famines in some parts of the world. In the US there is ongoing racial and political terrorism with scattered homicides. Politically motivated shutdowns of web sites are ongoing. There are rising threats of war in the western Pacific.

November is six months away. Unless something changes for the better, it appears we will be deeply into the dark consequences of this growing catastrophe. This means we’ll be heavily reliant on personal preparations being made now.

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About the Author: Patriotman

Patriotman currently ekes out a survivalist lifestyle in a suburban northeastern state as best as he can. He has varied experience in political science, public policy, biological sciences, and higher education. Proudly Catholic and an Eagle Scout, he has no military experience and thus offers a relatable perspective for the average suburban prepper who is preparing for troubled times on the horizon with less than ideal teams and in less than ideal locations. Brushbeater Store Page: http://bit.ly/BrushbeaterStore

24 Comments

  1. Michael July 12, 2020 at 07:54

    Rest in peace Remus, may you find joy in the hands of God reunited with your beloved wife.

    And for the rest of us I’d re-read Remus’s last posting. Time is passing and very soon these trouble filled days with sometimes limited selections on the store shelves WILL BE the Good Old Days.

    Train and plan to be the most expensive kill of Antifa the action arm of the Democratic Party.

    Somebody needs to save the sidebars of the Woodpile Report as they are a basic manual of how the enemy thinks and how to defeat him.

  2. Gray Man July 12, 2020 at 07:58

    Lost a giant. One of my favorite reads.

  3. Pistol Pete July 12, 2020 at 08:44

    Thanks for the information – I had been checking daily and wondered…RIP

  4. Anonymous July 12, 2020 at 09:26

    5

  5. James July 12, 2020 at 10:04

    I am sad to hear about Remus,always enjoyed his site and was introduced to some art I otherwise never would have seen/given thought to.

    I myself and am sure others feel we are a tiny bit wiser having read his site and his own insights,RIP Remus.

  6. Lauribeth July 12, 2020 at 11:00

    Godspeed, faithful warrior. My heart is crushed to hear of his passing. Takes me back to a time years ago while camping on Mt. Princeton. There was an old graveyard down the road from the campsite and a placard with the names of the deceased. One read: Grace, wife of Alfred B. died in 1821 of consumption. Directly below: Alfred died six months later of a broken heart.

    No more need for him to avoid crowds.
    May he be at peace at last and enjoy the mass throngs in heaven joyously!

  7. […] On July 8th we lost a legend in the online patriot community – Ol’ Remus. As you may recall, he … […]

  8. David Leflar July 12, 2020 at 12:06

    I’m heartbroken and in tears. I read him regularly. A small comfort that he was relieved of having to see what is coming. God but I’m going to miss him dearly.

  9. David O'Grady July 12, 2020 at 12:14

    Truly a legend… I have been wondering what happened to him as i check/checked his site numerous times daily
    in the hope of hearing/reading his insights on the goings on in the world… He will be sorely missed.
    I, too, pray he is in joyful splendor with his wife and his God for all eternity and that should i be most fortunate
    to make it there that i have the blessed opportunity to thank him personally…
    Rest in peace, my friend..
    David

  10. Rucksack Rob July 12, 2020 at 13:14

    Remus…
    Thank you for the insight and knowledge of conservative common sense, the beautiful artwork(s), vintage advertisements and historical photographs, etc. Through your comments and links, I learned more than you will ever know.
    Now that you’ve joined your bride, be joyous together.

    Again, Thank You and Rest In Peace.

  11. SOURDOUGH July 12, 2020 at 14:23

    His material was a joy to read. My all time favorite post of the “Woodpile Report” was “The LEATHERMAN”. It was mostly about the value of caching supplies.

    His essay on “The Leatherman” (Oct. 31, 2017) Excerpted from: http://www.woodpilereport.com/html/index-502.htm

    “Although technically a vagabond, a man the locals called “Leatherman” lived a life approximating Escape and Evasion a century and a half ago. He traveled a circuit some 180 miles on a side, from Connecticut to the Hudson River and back again, with such regularity his reappearances were dependably foreseen by townspeople. In time he became an Odin The Wanderer-like legend.

    Modern day Escape and Evasion derives from the US military’s Code of Conduct, which requires captured military personnel to “make every effort to escape”. Escape and Evasion training is based on standard survival woodcraft with emphasis on covert techniques appropriate for hostile territory. The survivalist in a catastrophe is more likely to be escaping detection than capture, but the methods apply.

    Leatherman was in no danger of capture as far as we know, nor was he in hostile territory, but for thirty years or more he used the basic practices of Escape and Evasion, including regular movement between proven sites in a large, remote area familiar to him.

    If we assume, and it’s reasonable to assume, a collapse of civil society to the extent such skills become necessary, the prudent survivalist will prepare not just a bugout destination but also prepare for worst case Escape and Evasion. The “escape” part could mean retreating from hostiles who overrun his main bugout site or otherwise prevent him from occupying it.

    Some will practice Escape and Evasion as a prepared means to reach a safer destination. Catastrophes in the past suggest it will more commonly be used to avoid a present and mortal threat that may persist for weeks or months, which is what we’ll consider here.

    The first requirement is a home territory, preferably not much more than a day’s hike from the survivalist’s bugout site. Wooded and watered hill country offering sites for covert camps are close to ideal. Five miles on a side is probably too small, twenty miles on a side is not too large.

    While a contour map has its uses, it’s no substitute for the familiarity that comes with methodical woods-cruising in good weather and bad, even at night. The survivalist must “own” his territory, every ridge and swale, every spring and rock and run, every tree and bush. It’s a crucial advantage for evasion if discovered and pursued. With time familiarity approaches the supernatural, sensing when something’s not right, tipping off a presence not yet obvious.

    The usual attributes of covert camps are to be observed, but no one site will be ideal. Each should offer something unique. Perhaps it’s a hotspot for game or fish, or well suited to particularly bad weather, or it includes a free flowing spring and rich forage in season, or is exceptionally secluded. Think of them as a network of resorts, a few miles apart, each having a special asset in addition to their standard features.

    Leatherman resupplied about every five weeks in towns along his route, something like long-distance hikers do on the Appalachian Trail. This is not an option in a catastrophic survival situation, obviously. Nor is raiding in any form. In a time of extreme scarcity, theft announces the presence of a lurker and demands attention.

    Prepositioned caches provide the necessary independence from outside supply. They also allow escape as-is and afterward permit traveling light between sites. Provisions for ninety days may be a good first approximation, six or seven caches with two week’s rations at each, say. As elsewhere, this is for one person. Should the nature of the calamity warrant and become apparent sufficiently in advance, perishables could be doubled or tripled. Ramping up is easier done than starting from nothing.

    A plan for providing each site with caches might include: one cache for arrival with emergency and immediate use items on top, another with food only, a third one with standard survival supplies: firemaking, ammunition, batteries, cordage, medical, water purification and so forth. Caches should be well away from the shelter site and, if practical, a standard distance in the same direction from each site. Precut pole timber for shelter framing could also be stashed in such a way as not to attract notice.

    An aside: one item to consider carrying is a weather radio. Tiny, battery-powered units are available for about twenty dollars. Assuming the reporting service is maintained it’s a resource worth having.

    Migration at intervals from one camp to another, in addition to serving situational awareness, levels out the depletion of supplies. Also think about one centrally located cache for seldom needed items. These might be bulk cordage, spares and repair items, specialty tools and equipment, clothing—especially seasonal clothing—perhaps a few books and other comfort items. But beware of over-reliance on equipage rather than improvisation and woodcraft.

    Covert camping is a study in itself: choosing and improving sites, camouflage and stealth fires, quick shelter construction and takedown, noise abatement, unattended fishing, night travel, area surveillance methods, anti-tracker techniques and on and on.

    A survivalist is not a partisan guerrilla looking to engage an enemy. While it’s wise to have a retrievable battle rifle should that day come, it makes sense in the interim to carry a light game rifle in a small caliber, backed up with a heavier caliber sidearm for defense.

    A survivalist handles armed confrontation by evasion, meaning “be somewhere else”. If surprised, he will break contact and disappear, easier to do with confidence when every tree and trail is familiar for miles in any direction. If there’s no option but to take down a relentless bad guy he will make it an unfair contest.

    Stripped of its conventions and models, survival means emerging from a catastrophe alive and functioning, with preparations for not being materially worse off than going in. All else is preference.

    Few of us wish to live as a fugitive. But most of us want to live. The tradeoff, once made, would soon be intolerable for some, miserable but bearable for others, an adventure for still others.

    For those who imagine going “off grid” is roughing it, decoupling from society altogether, even amidst murderous chaos, will be inconceivable. Said differently, these are life’s self-selected victims.

    Emergencies eventually moderate, whatever “eventually” may mean. When and how to reengage may be perilous call. But should the emergency outlast the survivalist’s self sufficiency, or devolve further, the next step may be to migrate to a different region or affiliate with others to construct a viable community for the duration. Even then, survival as a latter day Leatherman is Plan B.

    (Extracted from: https://survivalforum.survivalmagazine.org/forum/general/general-chat/216538-the-leatherman-this-is-a-wonderful-read)

  12. john July 12, 2020 at 17:17

    I was concerned after his 2nd missed week. Now, I’m truly sad. Remus was my Tuesday morning ritual. We’re poorer for his absence yet richer for having shared the world with him, awhile… RIP old friend.

  13. Robert Lund July 12, 2020 at 17:34

    I am one of the many who will mourn the loss of this exceptional man. Unlike any of the other pundits I read regularly, his words had a way of reaching out to the reader personally, as though we were conversing on his porch. His insights and wisdom will be sorely missed.
    I only started saving his posts a few years ago, but now that there will be no more of them, I’ve posted what I have, starting with #405 Dec 2015, at https://woodpilereport.lundissimo.info/, if anyone would care to revisit recent issues.
    R.I.P. friend I never met.

  14. MKL July 12, 2020 at 19:05

    My comments are identical to David Leflar’s. I will miss him terribly also. Always a much-looked forward to weekly read with invaluable information and advice. I can only hope to have “a few words” with him in the next life. As the great Ray Bradbury wrote “Is Death important? No. Everything that happens before Death is what counts. And we’ve done fine tonight. Even Death can’t spoil it.” You’ve done just fine Remus. Rest in peace.

  15. Centurion_Cornelius July 13, 2020 at 09:12

    Ol’ Remus was a giant. You could not have dreamed up a better patriot, friend, or neighbor.

    Excuse me dear Old Friend, but I can’t help thinkin’ about a motto for you from Uncle Sams Misguided Children:

    “NO BETTER FRIEND, NO WORSE ENEMY!”

    You had that awesome gift of being able to look over mountains and sea swells to tell us what was a’ comin.’

    We will be forever grateful for you and all your works, friendship, and love to share with us mere mortals.

  16. RCW July 13, 2020 at 10:18

    Happy trails Remus; you made a difference to and are fondly remembered by patriots.

  17. thestraygoose July 13, 2020 at 10:38

    God rest his soul. I’ve been missing his posts since June 8th and have checked twice a day. I would read every word and also look up and save the links to the people he linked to as if they were important enough to him to mention than I should pay attention too. I’m gonna miss his oratory, he was better than Shake spear to me.

  18. Badger July 13, 2020 at 12:12

    It should be mentioned that, at the top of his posts, prior to the descending situation in the world, were some of the best commentaries never seen in “Art Appreciation 101.” He particularly enjoyed & displayed some of the lesser-known Dutch masters and was fond of scenes that featured what I call people studies.

    We are blessed that he got loaned to us for as long as he did.

  19. Alaskajohn July 13, 2020 at 13:45

    The loss of Ol’ Remus is a significant loss at a time when we need his clarity of thought and insights. Prayers for his family. I know he is at peace with his wife. I will forever remember and my Tuesday reads of the Woodpile Report!

  20. Michael Jones July 13, 2020 at 19:39

    This is a tragic loss, for so many reasons. I only found Ol’ Remus maybe a year ago, but I looked forward a great deal to his weekly updates. The more I read, the more I appreciated his research, his selections, and his comments.

  21. OmaPam July 14, 2020 at 13:04

    Found Remus to be a voice of reason and I will miss his insights. His humor oft times brought me out of dark places the interwebs took me to. RIP

  22. Spingerah July 15, 2020 at 03:41

    I’m stunned , I’d just sent a donation to him last month, he responded personally, we talked about grief, how time doesn’t heal. You just have to live with the scars. His writing was incomparable. We are deminished.
    Thank you Lord for letting us get the benefit of a very wise man if only for a while.
    Please take him into your loving kingdom to be with his wife and Jesus forever.

  23. Chief July 21, 2020 at 09:49

    Remus was a U.S, Navy Chief and we had an opportunity to email chat about the past. I respect him as a fellow Chief and the vast knowledge he had acquired over the years. He was a teacher as you all saw on his website. A great loss.

    The Sailor’s Psalm

    They that go down to the sea in ships
    and occupy their business in great waters;
    these men see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep.
    For at His word the stormy wind ariseth which lifteth up the waters thereof.
    They are carried up to heaven and down again to the deep;
    their soul melteth away because of the trouble.
    They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.

    So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble,
    He delivereth them out of their distress.
    For He maketh the storm to cease so that the waves thereof are still.
    Then are they glad because they are at rest;
    and so He bringeth them unto the haven where they would be.

    (Psalm 107, verses 23-30)

    Amen.

  24. David Rooney July 24, 2020 at 11:29

    My favorite read. Every Tuesday I couldn’t wait.RIP Remus,you will be missed.

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