This year, the Round-Up & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame Board of Directors approved the special induction of Randy Severe as part of the Class of 2022 inductees. The Board over history has held the ability to induct an individual into the Hall of Fame in consideration of special circumstances. Randy’s induction is based on his contributions as a contractor, volunteer, and commitment to the professional rodeo cowboys, many of whom he considered friends, in a city that he loved very much.
Randy spent 47 years as a saddle maker for Severe Brothers Saddlery, following in the footsteps of fellow Hall of Famers, his father Bill Severe and his Uncle Duff Severe. For approximately 20 of those 47 years, Randy was at the forefront of Severe Brothers as a master saddle maker. From 1968 to his death in 2021, Severe Brothers built 250 of the 402 championship saddles of the Pendleton Round-Up. During his lifetime, Randy is credited for making over 530 saddles inclusive of the championship saddles.
Randy also kept the legendary Hotel de Cow Punch doors open. The legacy of the Hotel was 73 years strong at Randy’s passing and had seen the likes of rodeo contestants from the early years of the Rodeo Cowboy Association (RCA) to the modern-day Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA). The Hotel was not only a place of refuge and relaxation for rough stock cowboys during Round-Up week but saw the coming and goings of cowboys almost year-round.
Randy was a volunteer for the Pendleton Round-Up in his own right. His Round-Up volunteerism spanned 26 years, including 10 years on the Board of Directors, two of which he spent as President. His presidency included the 2010 Centennial Year of the Pendleton Round-Up. Beyond his contribution as a championship saddle maker and volunteer for the Round-Up, Randy was an ambassador for everything Pendleton. Unexpected visitors were always present at the saddle shop, whether it was a tourist who heard it was the place to get a real look at the West and Pendleton, friends and acquaintances, or even a celebrity now and then, all of which were welcomed with a smile and strengthened with discussion that professed the attributes of his hometown.