NORWICH – The recently-formed Bob McNitt Foundation – dedicated to the memory of local outdoorsman, NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame inductee and long-time Evening Sun columnist Bob McNitt – is seeking funds to support a National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) initiative at the Norwich Middle School.

McNitt, who passed away in October of 2011 at the age of 68, was a freelance outdoors writer for nearly four decades, widely known across the state as the “voice of the sportsmen.” His weekly outdoors column – originally bi-weekly – first appeared in The Evening Sun in October of 1977 and continued to be featured in its pages over the next 34 years. In 2006, McNitt was recognized by the New York State Senate for publicizing conservation and outdoor resources, promoting both ethics and sportsmanship.

Josh Sheldon, founder of the McNitt Foundation and friend of the outdoorsman and writer, said he formed the non-profit organization after a conversation he had with McNitt’s wife of more than 40 years, Elizabeth “Betty” McNitt.

“I was concerned that there had not yet been a foundation set up to commemorate Bob and to carry on his legacy toward the outdoors and sportsmen,” said Sheldon. “I had mentioned youth education to [Elizabeth] and she said, ‘That sounds like Bob.’ A few years back, I became aware of the Archery in the Schools Program, which is gauged toward middle school youth, and thought this type of program would be perfect.”