The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

To The Eagle:

I am writing this letter to express my heartache for the loss Vista Park has suffered. The park would not be what it is today if it wasn’t for Steve McClain. His dedication and integrity goes far beyond just a job. The park is an extended family to him; not to mention his devotion to the community. Steve helped to start and maintain the West Side Water, was a founding member of the Friends of Skamokawa, and is a man who wears many hats. One vivid image I have of Steve is in his rubber boots and rain gear on a Saturday morning using a jackhammer to break up the road at the entryway to the Oasis. He was extending water service to local residents. I remember driving by and Steve giving me a big smile and a wave. I’m wondering how many of us would do the same on our Saturday morning in the rain with a smile.

I was 14 years old when I started to work for Steve. I got to witness first hand how devoted he was to his fellow campers and community. When you make the turn off SR4 into the park entrance, you’ve entered into a community all of its own. You will never go to another park and experience the hospitality and warmth that Steve McClain provided. The primary reason the same campers returned and filled the park year after year was due to the home-away-from-home environment. I continued to work for the park for another 13 years through high school, college, and even after I moved to Portland, OR. I would commute to my job at Vista Park every other weekend because of the profound relationships we had with our fellow campers. I was delighted to know that even my Stimson Lumber co-workers camped at Vista Park. When they learned that I worked for the park, their first question was “How is Steve?” Steve certainly left an impression and I know first hand what an asset he has been to the park and the community. Steve can never be replaced.

Steve wasn’t just my boss - he was a mentor and a father figure. He taught me what work ethics really are. He always had time to help me with my studies. He even walked me down the aisle on my wedding day. Today I work for Stimson Lumber Company’s corporate office as their Cash /Credit Manager, managing millions of dollars daily. I owe a large part of my success to Steve.

The Port District does not understand what they’ve done by removing the pillar to our community. Steve’s job dismissal is truly a tragedy and Visa Park will never be the same. We will miss him greatly!

Samantha Christensen

Portland