A.J. Hemida, Scottsdale, AZ

"As one of the worker staff, there were many memories of Camp St. Malo that happened behind the scenes.

One of my favorite memories was the day that I learned to drive the old green '59 Apache panel truck that we had used at camp. The Apache was a manual transmission, and at 16 tender years of age, I had never driven a stick shift in my life. The Apache was also a pile of junk. It clanked and rattled and was the noisiest vehicle I had never driven. It leaked oil, smelled and was about as close to a rolling coffin as I've ever experienced.

We ran out of bread on a Wednesday before Wazoo, and panic ensued. Fr. Jerrard told me I had to take the Apache to Boulder and pick up bread. When I told Fr. Jerrard that I had no idea how to drive a stick, he simply answered: "You will by the time you get back" I have never spent an entire day so terrified in my entire life. I did not know how I was to get to Boulder down the canyon, navigate the traffic of Boulder and back to CSM having never driven a stick shift.

I was sure Fr. Jerrard was trying to kill me. That afternoon, I became an expert stick shift driver by the time I arrived home at St. Malo. I marched into Fr. Jerrard's office and gave him a piece of my mind. He casually looked up from his desk; one eyebrow raised and smiled that mischievous smile he had when he was about 4 steps ahead of you. "Do I need to put you in a headlock, he calmly stated?"

Wazoo went off without a hitch" A.J. Hemida, Scottsdale, AZ - Submitted: 30 July 2009

A.J. Hemida, Scottsdale, AZ

"The workers thought it would be an extraordinary treat to steal a competitor camp's logo and give it to Fr. Jerrard as a spoil of war.

We "borrowed" the big Cheeley Camp "C" that they had hanging at their main gate, and during morning chapel, during one of the songs; we proudly displayed the big gold "C". Fr. Jerrard never missed a beat in church but we could tell from the balcony that we were in deep! After mass we were all called into his office behind closed doors.

No matter how angry he attempted to be, he couldn't wipe the grin off his face. All he knew was that he was having no part of it, this was never to be spoken of, and it would be really swell if we took it back.

To all my fellow workers from 1977, I think the statute of limitations has run out, so we can all have a good laugh now."

Tim Dixon

"My parents were busy with the upcoming marriage of my older brother when they sent me to Camp St Malo. (I thought it was a reform school thanks to my older siblings). I cried when they left me. I love the week I spent there. So many fun activities. Anyone else there the summer of 1962..."

Jan (pronounced Yan) McKissack

Climbing Longs peak on the cable route with Carol hanging on ropes next to me (you rock Carol!) Playing capture the flag, the smell of being there, the cold water, the friends I made over the years, archery range, sleepovers, hard days, Friday Specials! I'd love to connect with some folks now if you remember me. A few years ago Nick Shute (sp?) called me and said that a few people were connecting up again but I never took him up on it; I was still too sad even after all these years that it got closed down. That truly broke my heart in two. I'd love to talk to you now if you remember me. I named my first dog Malo by the way. Take care. 

The following are sentiments written on poster's at Fr. Bob's Funeral reception:

* Thank you for Fr. Bob, We Love You! * You will always be at our Anniversary! * I will alway remember when you put Derreck Salazar in a head lock & rough housed around! * We will miss Fr. Bob's devotion to all! * Thank you for letting me no you! * Fr. Bob's twinkle in his eye & lover he had for all - we will miss you dearly! * We will miss you and your smiles! * Fr. Bob, I prayed for you to transplant your beard to my head! * His gentleness, love & simplicity - He truely served God's people. * Fr. Bob was a great giver. He always helped around the food & clothes bank. * I loved you dearly. I will miss you so much! * I am grateful to have known a man as wonderful as Fr. Jerrard. Rest in Peace! * Beloved * Thank you for all the many kind things & love you gave to our family! * Our Presbyter, our Brother, our Priest, our Friend, our Love. Thank you for the gift of life that you were to each of us. We bless you and you will be a part of our hearts until we meet again. Your neocatechcumnal communities thank you for the walk! * Fr. explaining to Steven what heaven is like - So beautiful - He is there now! * Until we meet in Heaven, pray for us! *Bob made everybody feel special. He was a good friend & good shepherd! * God Bless you Father & we will miss you! * Fr. Bob - Humility, Courage, Love! * The time he baptized my daughter, he was always smiling & he loved home cooked meals! * Our miracle Priest, we'll all miss him! * Fr. Bob touched so many lives, I'll always be grateful for all he did at Camp St. Malo! * You're special, unique & different! I love you forever! * Thank you Fr. Bob for many blessings! * AAAAAAAmeNNNNNNNNNN! Fr. Bob! * Enjoy the mountians of the Lord! * I'll always remember you!!! *I remember when he used to tease us when I was an altar server! * Fr. Bob, you have always been so special to so many - you will be missed! * OURSELVES!!! * You will always be remembered & loved! You and Justina are forever together again with GOD!!

November 4, 2004, Always in our memory.

Kathleen Flanagan, OSB

in trying to pinpoint a specific camp memory I spent an evening recalling happy times. As corny as they were I think Lodge Nights rank high in my memories. I appreciated the giftedness of those who could help us laugh at ourselves wih the week's events in retrospect. For me it was bonding. It was great seeing the camper's revel in their accomplishments.

A note from Jackie Erb's mother

Jackie Erb was killed while returning to school on Dec. 30, 1987. Her mother sent this in:

Jackie was so excited to get a job at Camp St. Malo. She planned for a long time. I drove her up to Camp when she first started her job. What excitement! She was so proud. Jackie thought the camp was important to every child and Fr. Bob was important to everyone. Fr. Bob took time to help. I remember when Jackie's car was on it's last leg and Fr. Bob talked to me about the condition of the car. I knew then Jackie was blessed to have someone who cared.

Larry Bettag

Sitting on Chapel Rock with someone super special and fellow counselors and looking out over camp and sharing our thoughts on how it wouldn't be there. Also,crying cause we knew we had to leave camp at the end of the summer. Any and every time I played Frisbee Golf or Ultimate Frisbee wiht Jim Favret and Jay Semla. I really miss you guys!