FWD Directory - Fall 1998 Honoree

Lloyd Steinkamp

At this, the 50th anniversary of the Far Western District, it is a thrill for me to tell you a little bit about the convention's Dedicatee, Lloyd Steinkamp. I have known him all of my life. You see, he's my dad. When I learned that the District had decided to dedicate this convention to dad, I was thrilled that we would be able to thank him and honor him here in Phoenix where so much of his barbershopping had its roots. Our entire family is here this weekend to share with you our gratitude for all that Dad has done for the FWD.

What you might have guessed but never really knew is that Dad had a tremendous beginning in professional stage and theater before he discovered barbershopping. Dad was featured, and in some cases starred, in radio programs such as "The Children's Hour" (NBC), "The Shadow"; "Coast to Coast On A Bus" (NBC); "The Kate Smith Hour" (CBS); "Adventures of Ellery Queen" (CBS); and many on-Broadway plays such as "Abe Lincoln in Illinois"' with Raymond Masses, and "Blind Alley", with George Colouris.

It's not too surprising that his on-stage talents eventually led to acting and directing with the New York Theater Build and then directing with ABC-TV in New York City. In 1955 we all moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he helped start the ABC affiliate, KTVK. He was production manager and program director for 5 years. (in those days TV was all done live - not taped for later showing.)

Although Dad started and managed several businesses throughout my life, the one thing he did which made him the happiest and made my brothers and sisters proudest of him was when he went to work for the Society as a field representative. It was a thrill each summer to go with Dad on the road and watch the real "Music Man" at work. He wasn't selling band uniforms, but what he was selling was good old fashioned barbershop,. Each night we would be a new town, at a hotel ballroom or an Elks lodge where there would be 50-75 men sitting to find out what this Barbershop thing was. And would they enjoy it? You bet they would. He would have them all singing in a chorus and then in a quartet and before they knew it, the hook was set and they never knew what hit them. 173 chapters were started by Dad in the 12 years he worked for the Society.

Dad had his first Barbershop experience in Washington, DC, in 1945, but due to his naval responsibilities and the war, he never really had the chance to enjoy it. Later when we moved to Phoenix, he joined the Phoenix Saguaro chapter and that same year became its Membership VP and Assistant Chorus Director. In 1956 he became the Director of the Phoenicians, then known as the "Salt River Beachcombers". In 1957 he became President of the Phoenix Chapter, in 1958 FWD Membership VP for 3 years. In 1974 he was inducted into the FWD Hall of Fame.

In addition to his administrative interests, Dad is an accomplished Barbershop Arranger and Music Judge. In 1977 he was appointed to the Society's Board of Review in the Arrangement Category and then in 1980 became the International Contest and Judging Arrangement Category Specialist. Three years later, in 1983, he was appointed to serve as the Society's International Contest and Judging Chairman for 2 years. He was appointed as the FWD DACJC for 4 years in 1985.

He was the Arizona, Southern Nevada Division Vice President in 1985, Executive Vice President of the FWD for 2 years in 1988, and in 1990 was the Far Western District President for 2 years.

He has served on the International Board for 2 years and various International committees, for Long Range Planning, High School Quartet Contest, and Youth Outreach. His energies are currently focused on music for the youth of tomorrow. He was appointed as the Society Youth Outreach Vice-Chairman and each year at International you'll get a chance to see Uncle Lloyd's kids make us all proud.

The most fun I ever saw my dad have was when he was singing with his closet friends in the world, "The Desert Knights". Late at night, I would hear them all in the living room laughing and singing, and my brother and I would sneak out and hide behind the couch to watch the fun and listen to the chords. They were the funniest 4 guy in the world and sang extremely well too. They won the FWD Quartet Championship in 1957.

Dad has arranged over 350 barbershop songs and over 250 Glee Club and Liturgical Songs. This year hew was honored at the International Contest and Judging meetings in Atlanta for being the longest certified scoring judge in the history of the Society. Whew!!!

On a personal note, my dad is the smartest and the funniest man I know. My kids would agree. He always has a crowd around him laughing or singing, so he's not hard to locate at a convention. When my sons, Brad and Matt, go to a convention, they wan to find grandpa and sing with him.

The say that as a spirit, before we are born, we pick who we want to be our parents. I made a GREAT choice in you, Dad. I love you and am extremely proud of you. My son, Matthew, says it best. While in Atlanta at the International convention, Matt was out singing in hospitality rooms and he would tell the hosts that he was Matt Steinkamp. His quartet would get preferential treatment. He returned to our room one night and said, "God, I LOVE being a Steinkamp!"

Gary Steinkamp