W. Fred Reitmeyer spent more than 70 years carving decoys and passing on his knowledge to the next generation. When he passed earlier this year, he left behind a family full of artists determined to keep the folk tradition alive, and a legacy that impacted countless carvers.

“That’s really something to be proud of,” said Lynne Reitmeyer van Daley, one of Fred’s daughters.

Born into Pine Barrens culture, Fred was a lifelong carver who first took to carving for practical uses; as a hunter, making his own decoys…