Sometimes God blesses us-really blesses us. We encounter a teacher, someone who helps us make new discoveries and with whom we feel the warmth of loving community. Bob Cagle touched so many of us in just this way. Literally hundreds from across the nation benefited from the vision, knowledge, and encouragement of this amazing mentor and innovator. His popularity as a leader of leaders rested in an uncanny spirit of gentleness and welcome, which inspired and engaged beginners and veterans alike. Bob stands out as one of the giants of the faith in United Methodist Camp/Retreat Ministry. We dedicate this issue of Camp Memo to Bob.

For those of you who have not heard, Bob died on April 21, 1997, due to a tragic accident. He entered his home to gather topographical maps for an upcoming wilderness camp. While gathering equipment and maps, a rifle stored on the shelf in his equipment closet somehow fell and discharged. He was killed instantly. The added grief of Bob's accidental death centers on the fact that he advocated and consistently practiced an emphasis on safety. His death comes with a great sense of loss for Camp Glisson in Georgia, for the Camp/Retreat community across the nation, and, most of all, for his family.

It is difficult to know what to say or how to respond. We can take our cue from Bob himself - adventure. His love of the outdoors and camping began at a very early age. His family taught him great reverence for the wild and how to live off of and in harmony with the land. It was on a fishing trip that Bob first shared with his pastor, Rev. Shaw, that he felt God was calling him to preach. He found a dear friend and partner for the journey in Brenda Willis who became his wife during college and seminary days. Brenda and Bob splurged on a tent and headed out on a camping trip together for their honeymoon. Camp and retreat ministry continued to be a vital part of their lives and relationships. They set out on a journey from Georgia to Oregon to Nashville and back to Georgia, which turned out to be an awesome adventure of service and changed lives. Whether leading as a local church pastor or as a camp director, or as the National Director of United Methodist camp/retreat ministries, Bob left a constant legacy of new life. Brenda and Bob's most cherished new life came in 1979 with the birth of their son Hoke.

Brenda and Hoke, thank you for sharing Bob with us and for your own ministries. Those of us who serve in camp/retreat ministry full time know that it involves the entire family. We are so grateful! It has made such a difference for so many. We continue to lift up Bob in our thoughts and prayers as he walks with God into a new adventure we cannot even begin to imagine. We can, however, imagine his smile and the spark in his eyes. We love you.

Camp Memo is published by the National Camp and Outdoor Retreat Committee and the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church.

The Cagle family has requested that anyone wishing to honor Bob's memory with a gift do so by donating to: Bob Cagle Memorial, Friends of Glisson, 865 Camp Glisson Rd., Dahonega, GA 30533

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