In 1952 I went to Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA to study for a career in the Christian ministry. One of the first and foremost people I met there was Rathburn Shelton. “Rath”, as he was called by everyone, held three positions at the college: Alumni Director, Public Relations Director, and baseball coach. This gives you an idea of how small the college was (300 students). He was the person most known and loved by the students because of his infectious personality. It seemed as though Rath was everywhere at every event talking with everyone.
More importantly, however, he and his wife Peggy were loved by all the students and they came to every athletic and cultural event on campus. During the War rath had served in an Army Band that travelled around to the various Army bases, both here and abroad, seeking to bolster the morale of the troops. Rath played a mean trumpet. At the college he was mostly known for his sincerity and sense of humor. Also he showed up at nearly every college athletic event and knew each of us athletes personally.
Speaking personally, over the four years it was there Rath and I became good buddies and all through the ensuing years we remained close friends. Over the years I have watched his four outstanding boys grow into fine athletes and artists. The most well-known of them is Ron who became a writer and director of films, notably “Bull Durham”, “Whitmen Can’t Jump”, and “Tin Cup”. Jeff has become an outstanding architect, David a metal designer and artist, and Steve a high school teacher, guitarist, and poet. Obviously, Rath and Peg get the credit for these outstanding young men.
Whenever my wife Mari and I visited the Shelton tribe we were treated to a short trumpet concert by Rath, along with dozens of stories, mostly about the college and baseball. As I think back on my days there and the ensuing years Rath continues to be the focus of my memories. He died a few years back now, but his memory, both at the college and among those of us who knew and loved him, has grown. His enthusiasm and humility continue to live both at the college and in the hearts of those of us who knew him.
My strongest memory of Rath focuses on the time he spoke in Chapel. We had Chapel service everyday at 10 Am and it was taken very seriously. Rath was not known as a regular speaker on such occasions so we were all wondering how he would handle it. Rath began by reading the 13th Chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. This chapter is known as the “Love Chapter” and concludes with the line: “The greatest of these gifts is love.” When he was done he paused, shook his head and exclaimed: “I do not understand this at all. Let’s read it again.”
After having read the chapter once more, he continued to be dumbfounded and suggested we read it yet a third time. When he finished the third reading Rath paused and again claimed: “I am sorry, but I cannot understand this.” He then went and sat down on his seat. After an uncomfortable couple of minutes, the person in charge of the Chapel Service offered a brief prayer and dismissed us. Needless to say, we were all baffled by this “Chapel Service” and continued to discuss it throughout lunch and the rest of the day.
As you can tell, this dramatic Chapel Service not only caused us all to read and reread this Biblical passage at that time, but it was an experience we never forgot. Hopefully, we have also managed to incorporate the message of the chapter more vigorously and effectively in our lives. All because of the creative thoughtfulness and efforts of one Rathburn Shelton. Thanks Rath !!