The cause was decidedly serious, but the reunion itself was comical by design.

The Rev. Bob Rhoads and former Sequim Police Chief Bob Spinks kicked off KSQM 91.5 FM’s fall fundraising campaign with a revival of their “Five-O Radio Show” on Nov. 16.

After a four-year hiatus, Rhoads and Spinks brought back familiar and new gags — Stump the Bobs, the evening traffic report by Kermit the Frog and an energy drink chug among others — to the delight of community radio fans.

“It was surprising the response we did get,” Rhoads said. “You just never know how many people you reach. The fact they remembered the show four years later (is amazing).”

“When we did the Five-O radio show, we actually did some planning, some idea of what we were doing,” Spinks said, while last week’s was a bit more from-the-hip, he said.

“Maybe it wasn’t as polished, but it was from the heart,” said Spinks, now the police chief at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La., as well as the the program director at KBYS 88.3 FM. “That was true community radio.”

Rhoads’ recent health diagnosis spurred the Sequim reunion.

Creating good memories

Rhoads said he was diagnosed in 2014 with multiple myeloma, a cancer formed by malignant plasma cells. Five months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant followed.

In September, the cancer returned. That means more chemotherapy.

“The goal is to keep it at a low level, keep it from a terminal disease to a chronic disease,” Rhoads said. “I won’t lose my hair (but) it’s got a list of side effects as long as your arm.”

Rhoads reluctantly stepped down from his leadership position at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where he’s served for 17 of his nearly four decades of ministry.

“I’ve been doing this for 38 years and I liked it,” Rhoads said. “I realized my health isn’t what it once was.”

He said the Sequim parish, at 525 N. Fifth Ave., is looking for a replacement now and has several clergy helping lead until that role is filled.

“I’m learning to let go,” Rhoads said.

He’s also relinquished his role with Sequim Cares, a faith-based group seeking to help issues facing the area’s homeless.

Spinks, Sequim police chief from 2005-2010, said that once he heard about Rhoads’ updated diagnosis, he jumped on the next plane.

“Bob is one of my closest friends and I know what it’s like to go through a health crisis,” Spinks said.

His goal was to give Rhoads some good memories as he goes through the tough times back in chemotherapy.

“A good memory when you’re having a bad day — it’s absolutely critical,” Spinks said.

Hence, the Five-O revival.

“I think Bob and I were both shocked,” Spinks said. “It was standing-room only in the studio. It was a blast (and) unexpected.”

Reach Michael Dashiell at editor@ sequimgazette.com.