Fred Scott became a church member on January 1, 1975, and over the next 50 years, he would work, pray, and care well for the worshipers at BG.
Fred was faithful and considerate. Every Sunday, Fred dropped Lois off at the church entrance, making sure she was settled. Only then would he park the car and head inside, Bible tucked under his arm. His Bible was heavily highlighted and annotated, from as far back as Pastor Merold Stern’s time.
Fred had a heart for young people. He was a driving force, literally, behind the church-to-campus bus ministry. When the Boys Brigade was active, Fred would drive the boys to the Delaware River for their annual summer canoe trip.
Fred was patient and measured his words. At times, when the Tuesday morning men’s prayer group was in deep discussion of a Bible passage, Fred would quietly take it all in. Eventually, he’d pipe up with, “Can I say something?” His contribution was often just the thing needed to understand the passage.
Fred was joyful. On annual BG clean-up days, everyone would bring shovels, rakes, and other tools. Then there’d be Fred, driving up on his tractor complete with front loader, grinning ear to ear.
Fred was a visionary. He and Lois felt that every household in Tompkins County needed a copy of the Jesus video. They purchased and distributed them in person, by mail, and made them available in the church foyer. He also authored and published The History of Bethel Grove Bible Church, July 2022.
Fred was a good neighbor. At 83, he single-handedly cut up and loaded a 60-foot fallen tree on the Rightmeyer’s property. Fred’s tractor left behind deep ruts, which the family affectionately dubbed “Fred Ruts.” Robby Rightmeyer decided to preserve them with concrete to commemorate the occasion and the man who made them.
To know more about Fred’s broader legacy to his family, the field of feline medicine, and beyond, please read Fred’s obituary and his book Open Doors, and watch the recording of his memorial service.
A special thanks to the Tuesday Morning Men’s Prayer Group (OGWTs), Delores Smith, and Chuck Tompkins for their contributions to this article.