Karl Arnold Kamp's Obituary
Karl was born in Weehawken, New Jersey to Ture and Agnes (Gustafson) Kamp, he enjoyed summers as a boy on Huguenot Beach on Staten Island, and cared for his mother during her battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He never met a stranger or forgot a face. Karl loved gathering with friends and family, ready with a story or song for any occasion.
Karl was a graduate of New York City public schools, earned a B.S. in Psychology at Wagner College and was a Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity member. He went on to complete two years of studies at Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary and then served for two years as the Vicar of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago. A lifelong learner, Karl also had an M.S. in Education at The City College of New York and took post-graduate classes at Rutgers University.
Karl married Peggy Sherry, his college sweetheart, before moving to Chicago, then returned to Staten Island to raise their young family. Upon returning to New York, he was licensed as an Attendance Teacher by the New York City Board of Education, and began his 31-year career. As an attendance teacher, known in Maryland as pupil personnel worker, Karl was dedicated to serving the needs of students in public and parochial schools, in and outside the schools, in their homes, and on the streets. Karl’s career took him all over New York City, including Curtis and Tottenville High Schools on Staten Island, Brooklyn where he taught special education, and the welfare hotels of Manhattan. And for a time he was a part-time Social Worker for the Mission of the Immaculate Virgin (Mount Loretto), on Staten Island.
Karl and Peggy moved from Staten Island to rural Hunterdon County, New Jersey (Jutland/Pattenburg) where they lived for 28 years. Karl served as member and President of the Union Township School Board from 1974-1981. He was also a leader in Zion Lutheran Church in Oldwick, New Jersey. When Karl and Peggy retired to the Annapolis area to be closer to family, they became active members in St. Martin’s Lutheran Church.
Very proud of his Swedish heritage, Karl was a member of the Vasa Order of America. He also was a Rotary International member in both Clinton New Jersey and Annapolis Maryland.
Karl is survived by wife Peggy (Margaret Sherry Kamp) having celebrated 60+ years of marriage (wed 8/26/61), daughter Kristen (Joshua) Lehman, daughter Jenni (John) Woolums, son Gustaf (Cindy) Kamp, and two grandsons, Calder and Sean (Sarangua) Woolums.
A memorial service will be held at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Annapolis Maryland on September 17th at 1pm. https://www.stmartinsannapolis.org/
Karl requested that In lieu of flowers please give to ELCA Lutheran World Hunger. https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/ELCA-World-Hunger
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