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Red Deer writer Bob Scammell dies

A career filled with honours and awards
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Avid outdoorsman and writer Bob Scammell died at the age of 79 on Thursday.

The long-time columnist for the Advocate, and other Alberta newspapers, received many awards and honours including induction into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

Several years ago Scammell was diagnosed with inclusion body myositis (IBM), a rare progressive muscle disease with no known cause, cure nor treatment.

Scammell’s columns first appeared in the Advocate 50 years ago. In his final column, printed in July in three parts, he wrote of his passion for writing and outdoor adventures, and the support of his family, colleagues and friends while battling his illnesses.

As a writer, photographer and conservation activist, Scammell helped preserve public lands and access for outdoor recreation.

In 1976, the Alberta Fish and Game Association awarded Scammell its highest award — the Fulton Trophy. In 2000, he was inducted into the Order of Bighorn, the Alberta government’s highest honour to a conservationist.

The Canadian Wildlife Federation honoured Scammell with its Roderick Haig-Brown Award in 2005.

Scammell was a freelance writer for many of North America’s major outdoor magazines. His books include, Good Old Guys, Alibis and Outright Lies, a collection of his outdoors humour writing.

Scammell practised law in Red Deer for 37 years.