Dang!
I first started reading Rick O'Shay in the Great Falls (Montana) Tribune, when I was stationed there in the Air Force in 1965. When I completed my tour and moved to Denver in 1969, I don't recall if they had it in the paper(s) there. We had a colonel who wore a handlebar mustache. Off-duty, he usually went around in blue jeans, cowboy boots, a dark blue sweatshirt and a Stetson hat. He was tall and thin, and (behind his back, of course) everyone called him "Hipshot"! I was standing in maintenance job control one night. They kept the room dark, with illuminated status boards. The colonel quietly walked in the door and stood behind me. I didn't really pay attention to who was standing there until I turned around and saw him. I nearly threw my hands up!
Anyway, Stan, say hello to Charlie Russell up there! RIP