Del Lonnquist knows timing is key in comedy. But, as he found out when he moved to Helena years ago, it's also important in everyday life.

In 1988, Lonnquist was moving into an apartment in the Queen City when he had a heart attack. Luckily for him, the apartment was across the street from St. Peter's Hospital.

"That was our introduction to Helena," he said with a chuckle.

Lonnquist, 73, relocated after one of his four daughters moved here and told him, "Dad, we need a good country station here." He was in radio about four decades and purchased a country-western station when he moved to Montana.

In addition to playing music on the radio, he also played with a country band and continues to play banjo during his standup routines as "Lonnie" Lonnquist. Over the years, he opened shows for many Grand Ole Opry acts, including Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl and Tex Ritter.

More recently, Lonnquist has used his booming voice to record books on tape for the visually and physically handicapped at the Talking Book Library.

But he has not lost his sharp wit and keen sense of humor. While recording a book recently, Lonnquist added a word not in the writings.

"That was an ad lib - or a bad lib," he quipped.

Lonnquist volunteers for many causes and recently was recognized for his efforts.

He was selected to receive Montana's 2008 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and older's most prestigious and visible volunteer award for community service.

Lonnquist has been a volunteer for the Montana state office of AARP since its creation in 2001. He started on the executive council and then decided he wanted to be more proactive and three years ago took over the association's working programs.

Since then, he has been part of the Capital City Task Force as a volunteer lobbyist through four legislative sessions.

"The fun part is when the meetings get really tedious, I can leave," as opposed to when he was a broadcast journalist, he said.

Lonnquist also travels the state representing the Montana Walking Program, which has handed out about 4,000 step counters to seniors to encourage them to walk.

"Why do you want to exercise - to be healthy? No, to set an example for the grandkids," he explained.

His daily goal is to do 10,000 steps or five miles per day. The pedometers are motivators, he said.

Bob Bartholomew, state director of AARP, said Lonnquist has an easy manner and can talk to anybody.

"We admire him so much. He's been an inspiration to us all," he said.

"This award serves as a symbol to members and the public that we can all work together for positive social change," Bartholomew said. "It's a pleasure to present this award to Del Lonnquist, a man who has given of himself to make an important difference in the lives of others."

Lonnquist said his philosophy is people get what they want out of life through helping others.

"When you're old like me, you'll see this is true. The measure of our success is our service of others," he added.

The Minneapolis native also met his wife, Lois, through his music. The couple met while he was touring with his country band. In addition to their four daughters, the Lonnquists also have two sons, 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

"We joke that everyone in the family is a writer. If we all moved to Helena and bought houses on the same street we could have a writer's block," he said.

"Life is such a hoot, isn't it?" he quickly added.

Reporter Angela Brandt: 447-4078 or angela.brandt@helenair.com