Community leader leaving after many years of service

Dave Camp, former associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Carson City and community leader, is moving to Colorado to be closer to family.

A reception to honor Camp's service to the Carson City community will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the church's Family Life Center, corner of Division and Musser streets.

Camp and his wife, Mary Lou, are moving to Longmont, Colo., to be closer to their daughter, Susan. They married Dec. 27, 1958.

"He's struggled with Parkinson's disease for about 10 years now," said Rev. Bruce Kochsmeier of First Presbyterian Church. "He needs to be closer to family."

Camp was installed as associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church on Oct. 4, 1987.

He retired in 1994 from the church, but continued volunteer work in the community.

In addition to his service at the church, Camp served on the FISH board, was president of Kiwanis in Reno and secretary of Carson City Kiwanis, is a member of the Carson City Ministerial Fellowship, volunteers with RSVP, and serves on the TRIAD council.

"Carson City is a beautiful place to live. A wonderful place to live," Camp said. "I've enjoyed my job. I'll never quit working for the Lord."

The Camps have been in Carson City 19 years. He said he felt his calling to the Lord before entering the military.

"I enlisted during the Korean War. I've had three calls to military service. I spent 20 years in the military - first in the Air Force, then in the Army as a chaplain.

"The military is a different environment from a church, but similar work. I enjoyed being with the troops."

Camp said he will miss all his friends when he and Mary Lou leave Carson City.

"I've been very involved in things around here," he said. "It keeps me out of trouble."

The Camps also have a son, Dave II, who lives in Richmond, Wash.

"First and foremost Dave has been a friend and mentor to me in ministry," Kochsmeier said. "His wealth of experience and willingness to share in any way has been very important to me."

Kochsmeier said they share prayer and frequent conversation.

"He is a pillar of strength and support I can lean on," Kochsmeier added. "He's also been someone I value as a great and close personal friend."

He said Camp most recently served as a parish associate, which is an honorary title given to pastors who continue to serve after retirement.

"Nothing has slowed him down," Kochsmeier said. "Though the Parkinson's has been greatly debilitating, he's never sagging. He's so willing to keep going. He has been a great model to us in that way."

"It's been a wonderful experience," Camp said of his service in Carson City. "It's been a wonderful time being here. I love all."

n Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

Dave Camp's accomplishments

1950 Ð Enlisted in U.S. Air Force, served during Korean War

1955 Ð Graduated University of Oklahoma

1958 Ð Graduated San Francisco Theological Seminary; ordained by the Presbytery of Yellowstone; married Mary Lou on Dec. 27

1960 Ð Commissioned National Guard Chaplain

1963 Ð Associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Norman, Okla.

1966 Ð Ordered to active duty during Vietnam War; assigned to Neurnberg, West Germany; reassigned to the United States at Sierra Army Depot, Herlong, Calif.

1972 Ð Left active duty, moved to Reno and served as part-time pastor of Virginia City Presbyterian Church

1978 Ð Called to active duty, assigned post chaplain in Bremerhaven, West Germany

1981 Ð Assigned post chaplain at Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah

1982 Ð Retired from military; served as pastor of Lamoille Community Presbyterian Church

1987 Ð Installed as associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Carson City

1994 Ð Retired as associate pastor from First Presbyterian Church