When Deb went to her first retriever field trial in 1967, it was not with a labrador retriever, but an afghan hound named "George". In order to avoid being relentlessly harassed by his hunting buddies, Husband, John, soon presented her with a lab pup and suggested "George" would make an excellent pet for her family.
It wasn't long before Deb was hooked, training retrievers daily with John and then later with their good friend and Hall of Famer, Bach Doar.
During her field trial career, Deb trained and titled FC AFC Watchim Sneak, who was also the 1971 National Derby Champion and a Double Header winner, AFC Carmmoney's Samantha, FC AFC Backacres Tuck N' Run, and FC AFC Tuck N' Runs Watchout Willie. These talented retrievers gave her the opportunity to qualify and compete in numerous Nationals, Open, Amateur and Canadian.
Deb has served as an officer and is past President of the National Amateur Retriever Club and the Women's Field Trial Club. For twenty-odd years she served as the official hostess of the Labrador Retriever Club, along with her good friend, Nancy Sills. She has also served twenty years in the same capacity with The James River Retriever Club, and aided John in his chairmanships with those clubs. She has judged many weekend field trials, and in 1986 she judged the National Amateur in Bend, Oregon. Over her career she has chaired or served on the Marshall and Hostess Committees at a number of the Nationals.
John McAssey, a good friend and Hall of Famer, and Deb have spearheaded two successful fund raisers to benefit the Bird Dog Foundation. Today, along with Retriever Board Members, Charlie Hays, Dottie Metcalf and Pert Wunderlich, they continue to collect pertinent information, museum worthy memorabilia, and encourage financial generosity so the history of our sport will be there for future generations to enjoy.
Deb has had the privilege of serving on the Board of the Bird Dog Foundation for eleven years, two of which have been as Secretary.
She is honored to be inducted into the Retriever Field Trial Hall of Fame and to there join her husband, John, and their many friends who have preceded her.
She states, "Fond field trial memories and dear old friends will remain in my heart forever."
