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But Bisbee takes special care to make this point : “ We are not special in that regard , Sue and I , because there are really very many talented people throughout this area .”
However , it ’ s hard to overlook Bisbee ’ s own apparent talent in the sport . In 2016 , he placed 2 nd in the NFAA 3D National Championships , 4 th in the NFAA Field National Championships , 2 nd in the IFAA North American Field Championships , and 3 rd in the IFAA World Field Championships — and was a US team member at that event where the US Team took 2 nd place .
Sue also recently fell in love with archery , and is not without her own success in her new hobby . In 2016 , she placed 1 st in the IFAA North American Championships and 2 nd in the IFAA World Field Championships .
Bisbee has found that , “ It ’ s a sport that families can compete together pretty evenly , and travel together .” This February , the couple headed to Las Vegas for the World ’ s Indoor Championship where the target is 20 yards away and only one-half inch in diameter .
Some tournaments are not divided by gender , typically the indoor ones noted Bisbee . “ But most outdoor tournaments are . There are also different rules for different tournaments .” Archery equipment , itself , is also available in various different sizes and styles for ages and genders . According to Bisbee , the variety of tournaments and rules accommodates very high end to very basic equipment .
Coming to the sport as a hunter , Bisbee generally prefers shooting outdoors , “ You walk six or seven miles , and there ’ s the exertion and hiking .” They shoot targets , including imitation 3-D animals .
As an extension of his love of nature , he is also an avid fly-fisherman . When he and Sue recently attended the Black White and Bling fundraiser to support Community Solutions at Morgan Hill ’ s Leal Granada Theater , he donated a week at his home in Utah to the auction , and plans to spend that time fly-fishing with the winner .
Bisbee said of Morgan Hill and the South County area : “ I ’ ve lived a lot of places in my life . But every time you
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turn around , there ’ s an opportunity to get involved .” As a diehard East Coast dweller who commuted 40 weeks a year to his job as an engineering consultant to the electric power industry at SI , it took 32 years for his Silicon Valley colleagues to convince him to move to the West Coast . “ It ’ s been really amazing the way we ’ ve been welcomed into the communities here . I love Morgan Hill .”
Since the move to Morgan Hill , Sue had been operating a gallery in Los Gatos . In mid-2016 , she left to pursue volunteer work at the San Martin animal shelter . While Bisbee remains busy working at SI , with 275 employees and 10 offices across the country , he and Sue support Community Solutions every chance they get . They also support the Healthier Kids Foundation of Santa Clara County .
All of Bisbee ’ s hobbies provide a necessary balance to his work life . “ I ’ m equally passionate about engineering as my hobbies ,” he said . When Bisbee decides to try something , he goes all in . In fact , he once harvested a moose , a once per lifetime opportunity for a hunter , according to law .
Awhile back , he told Sue he was going to start carving out of Bighorn sheep horns . Sue said , “ Why don ’ t you start with a bar of soap ?” “ No ,” he told her . “ How silly is that ?” He also loves teaching children how to use a bow . As part of his club involvement , he said , “ We support archery events that introduce children to the sport .”
If Bisbee could offer people a word of advice about archery , he ’ d say , “ If people think they have an interest , don ’ t be afraid .” He said he wouldn ’ t want people to think : ‘ Oh I can ’ t go approach any of these folks because they are experienced shooters or tournament shooters .’ “ There are opportunities without buying equipment , and there are so many ways to enter into it and give it a try .”
“ I originally hadn ’ t planned on retiring in California ,” he said . “ Now I ’ m hoping that with a few years of work left , when they are over and I get to retire , I hope there are hours in the day that I can spend on community activities whatever those may be .” Perhaps when you or your child is ready to try archery , Bisbee will be ready to lend a hand .
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Lanie and Sue Bisbee at the International Field Archery ( IFAA ) World Field Championships in Australia in September 2016 . |
PHOTO PROVIDED BY LANEY BISBEE |