Sharing My Story

One of the more enjoyable aspects of my life during this time
was my friendship with a man named Scott Campbell (his first
name was actually Robert or Bob). "Uncle Scotty" as he was
affectionately known to his younger friends was perhaps
in his late twenties at that time but to us who were fresh out
of high school that seemed quite old. Scott went to Multnomah
School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon the same time as my
brother LeRoy and gained a reputation as the campus radio expert
and disc jockey. He moved to Northwest Washington (probably
around 1965) and eventually accepted a job with the religious
radio station KARI out of Blaine. Blaine is north of Bellingham
and is actually on the Canadian border and is the home of the
famous Peace Arch.

Scott was hired as a radio disc jockey for KARI on the weekday
afternoons and he played for 2-3 hours what is now know as
contemporary Christian Music. This was the era of the
Bill Gaither Trio, the Spear Family, the Oakridge Boys,
the Singing Rambos, Doug Oldham, Andre Crouch,
the Imperials and many more. I did not follow current
popular music (rock & roll, etc) so Scott's enthusiasm for
this type of music rubbed off on his younger friends. Scott
began going to the same church (Immanuel Bible Church)
I did and was recruited to teach one of the adult Sunday
School classes—for which he did an excellent job.

Scott also was instrumental in helping promote local concerts
of Gospel singers and musicians. I remember going to a number
of these concerts and becoming a fan especially of the Imperials
and the Singing Rambos among others. There were many Friday
or Saturday nights when my friend Rick Nelson (and sometimes
Merlin Strickler and others) would visit Scott is his north Whatcom
County home and talk about Gospel music, current events and,
of course, girls. Scott was a confirmed bachelor who had definite
ideas about the opposite sex and marriage. These were great times
of just kicking back and enjoying fellowship with an older man
(sort of a mentor) who was a dedicated Christian. The friendship
with Scott continued through my college years and extended into
my early years with Campus Crusade. Scott eventually left KARI
and took a position elsewhere (I believe out of state). From that
time I lost contact with Scott and many years later found out that
he had pass away while hiking of an apparent heart attack-really
much too young.

Scott was one of those people you meet along life's journey who
made an impact on others for the better including myself.
Part of me still misses Scott. A really great guy who is now
in heaven serving his Lord. (A short internet search reveals
that the Gospel Music Association has named the Scott Campbell
Music Award in honor of Uncle Scotty.)