Cabela's Inc. Announces Passing of Richard N. Cabela

by
posted on February 18, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
arwire2015_fs.jpg (2)

Cabela's, Inc. has announced the passing of Richard N. Cabela, company co-founder and Chairman Emeritus. Cabela died in his home in Sidney, Neb., on Monday, Feb. 17. He was 77.

Known to most as Dick, Cabela founded the company that would become world's largest direct marketer, of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise with his wife, Mary, and brother, Jim, in 1961. What started as a mail-order service for fishing lures is now a $3.6 billion company with a worldwide catalog, Internet business and 50 stores in the United States and Canada.

Dick served as the company's Chairman of the Board until June 2013, when he transitioned to Chairman Emeritus and Jim Cabela became Chairman.

"Dick and Jim made it possible for sportsmen and women to get quality outdoor products no matter where they lived," said Tommy Millner, Cabela's Chief Executive Officer. "They weren't the first to offer outdoor goods through the mail, but nobody did it better or with more care about providing customers a good value for their money."

In his lifetime, Dick Cabela garnered numerous accolades, including induction into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2001, he was honored with the Safari Club International's prestigious C.J. McElroy Award for dedication to preserving and promoting the heritage and tradition of hunting.

Cabela is survived by his wife, as well as the couple's nine children and their families.

Latest

Gotw Bmr X Steel Web
Gotw Bmr X Steel Web

Gun Of The Week: Bergara BMR-X Steel

In this episode, the American Rifleman staff is on the range with a rimfire rifle that’s designed to excel in competition. This is the Bergara BMR-X Steel, a bolt-action that offers some match-grade features at a price that won’t break the bank.

Robert "Bob" Nosler Passes Away

Robert "Bob" Nosler, chairman of Nosler, Inc., passed away on Sept. 2, 2025, at the age of 79.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 5, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

MRDS: Zenith’s American-Made Roller-Delayed Rifle For The 21st Century

While the roller-delayed blowback mechanism has proven reliable in platforms like the Heckler & Koch G3, Zenith Firearms has taken this innovative operating system and paired it with a modern, AR-style feature set in its MRDS.

Remington Announces 4th Annual Shoot To Cure Fundraiser

Now in its fourth year, the Shoot to Cure fundraiser is scheduled to take place on September 19 at the historic Remington Gun Club in Lonoke, Ark.

Rifleman Review: Walther Arms PD380

For its latest compact carry pistol, the PD380, Walther Arms combined elements of its Performance Duty Pistol series with its legacy PK380 platform.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.