RIP Stephen A. Camp, at 59

[ArfinGreebly]

Former moderator and gun forum icon, Stephen A. Camp, has passed at age 59.

His final post here:

Hello and thank you for the kind words. I was extremely fortunate to have been taken "under the wing" of several first-class competitive pistol shooters when I was a young man, an opportunity many just don't get.

Best to you and yours.

His last post on THR:

Hello. Thank you very much and good luck.

Best.

Mr. Camp personified everything that was good about the shooting community. He was also an authority -- and a published author -- on the Browning Hi Power pistol.

He was a long standing member of TheFiringLine and TheHighRoad, as well as a member here.

There is a thread on THR that has more information.

We are diminished by his loss.

[Rokyudai]

My first response is complete shock. Not knowing that he was ailing in any way, I can only agree with you regarding his embodiment of what I and all of us should aspire to. I enjoyed his reviews and commentary immensely. He will be missed. My prayers and thoughts to his family. May God provide the strength and love needed to get through this difficult time.

My sincere condolences,
Rok

[KodiakBeer]

Stephen Camp was a real gentleman, and absolutely the definitive authority on the Hi Power. There wasn't a tweak or modification you can think of that Stephen hadn't already done and shot thousands of rounds through - and he offered that experience free of charge to anyone who asked or perused his web site, and he did it with modesty and clarity.

An example. One of the issues with the Hi Power is the thumb safety. The older safety is too small, and FN replaced that with a larger curved safety that is superb, but it's ambidextrous. So, if you're a righty you just have to live with that extra useless lever on the right side. Well, a few months ago I was upgrading an older Hi Power and was struck with a brilliant and original idea. I'd just buy an ambi safety, cut off and round the right hand pin and have a great thumb safety without the downside of the extra lever on the wrong (for a righty) side. I did it and everybody on the BHP board thought it was a great idea and that I was very clever.

Well... just a week or so ago I was perusing Stephens site and read an article on the old Hi Power he carried back when he was a LEO (he retired in 1998). And guess what? He'd done the same mod on his carry gun years ago! He must have read that thread where I showed my clever idea, but he didn't say a word because he was a gentleman and didn't want to rain on my parade.

I hope his site is maintained as a legacy to him.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/

[RockyMtnTactical]

Absolutely terrible news!!

[thesecond]

I never knew him personally, but I remember reading Stephen's blogs several years ago when I first discovered the gun forums (his reviews of snubbies/j-frames were comprehensive, in addition, of course, to his writings on the BHP). Generous participation, never got into the drama, always a helpful word/lead, where needed.

Condolences to his family. His contributions will be remembered. Rest in peace, Mr. Camp.

[Oleg Volk]

Terrible news...he was so young and so knowledgeable. A great man left us.

Sigh.

[Treo]

Sincere condolences to the family

[Silver Bullet]

Sorry to hear that. Very knowledgeable and classy gentleman.

[JERRY]

he was a man's man for sure. he will be sorely missed and the gun world is a lesser place without him.

[pmeisel]

I have always believed Mr. Camp's writing was of a caliber that deserved professional publication... perhaps someone could compile and edit the work on his website, as a tribute?

[scbair]

The phrase, "a scholar and a gentleman" genuinely applies to Mr. Camp. My sicere condolences to his family. He will be missed by so many of us.

[Mr White]

Sorry to hear about his passing. I had the privilege to have conversed with him via PMs a few years ago on THR about some questions I had about my Hi Power. The guy didn't know me from Adam but was very friendly and helpful nonetheless. He definitely knew his sh** about Hi Powers.

[Old Dog]

59. Far too young. A gentleman, indeed.

[Jamie B]

We are diminished by his loss.

Yes, we are.

I was never a Hi-Power fan, but was a strong Camp fan.

I learned about the BHP just because he was a good guy, and a good writer.

Too young an age for such a great guy.

I am very saddened by this news.

[WhoKnowsWho]

Wow, shock. 59 is so young.

Sincere condolences to his family.

I always enjoyed reading all of his writings and replies. He will be missed.

[JackBurtonJr]

Steven was always a gentleman of the old school.

[ArfinGreebly]

Police Sgt. Camp is remembered by a reporter/columnist he befriended.

Donna Fielder: Stories of Camp help ease the pain

He called me “the harpy of the media.” I was never sure what he meant by that, but I was positive that he meant it in the nicest possible way.

Many years ago, Denton police Sgt. Steve Camp befriended a reporter and trusted her. And by doing so, he signaled to all those who respected and trusted him that she must be OK.

You will want to sign up/register with the publication to read the whole column. Seriously, however, it's worth the effort.

Teasers:

Pranks:

Jeff tossed a rubber spider though the open car window. The spider bounced off Steve’s head, danced on the steering wheel and landed in Steve’s lap. The car did a 360-degree spin, knocking down every cone. Jeff started running even before the door burst open and his maddened supervisor leapt out after him.

And this:

"You don't understand," the angel replied. "He says if he can't bring his gun in, he's not coming."

Let me know if you can read it and keep your eyes dry.

[Sistema1927]

I hope his site is maintained as a legacy to him.

Not only as a legacy to him, but as a valuable resource to shooters everywhere.