William Richard Kampe

At age 89, William Richard “Dick” (aka “Bill”) Kampe entered eternal rest on Thursday, April 30, 2026 (in San Antonio, Texas) after recent months of battling ill health. Born April 15, 1937, in Abington, PA, Dick maintained his lifelong passion for learning, as well as that for teaching and helping others. He was given several nicknames as Sport, Lovebug, Dickiedoo, Muneco, and others due to his fun-loving, affectionate, and caring nature. He was a humble man of wisdom and wit, often revealing his much loved personality.

Immediately after high school graduation (1955) in York, PA, Dick joined the United States Air Force for which he served 4 years active duty that included 2 yrs in Tokyo, Japan. He was considered a Post-Korean War Veteran pertaining to service during a period of ongoing, high-imminence hostility. January, 1959, helped launch his career path with the opportunity for attendance at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy in Oklahoma City. In August, 1962, he married his first wife, Judith (Judy) Connelly, with whom he shared 3 daughters. His role as Air Traffic Controller took him to places as El Paso (TX), Albuquerque (NM), Panama Canal Zone (Panama), Valdosta (GA), and Atlanta (GA). Dick was instrumental in activism for PATCO (Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization) in which he duly believed.

After 20 years of service in 1975, Dick was faced with retirement from the FAA due to health related challenges. He kept himself active (beginning 1965) with the Knights of Columbus as a 3rd degree member until 1977. At the close of his FAA career, he and his family relocated to the Rio Grande Valley. He then pursued his Bachelor of Business Administration degree, completed in 1977. Dick obtained his license as Real Estate Agent of which he served just a few years. Several years later, he earned his Master of Education in Counseling and Guidance degree (1990). Beyond the FAA, he held career positions in real estate sales, school administration, business administration, and some self-employment. This kind and compassionate man thrived on volunteer work (often alongside his second wife) in mental health and church service (while living in California) during the middle part of his life.

Dick’s independent and adventurous nature and spirit enabled him to thrive in the outdoors since his early childhood. He enjoyed the mountains, as well as the beach. Numerous road trips throughout the U.S. and Canada were enjoyed during his mid-life, though gradual declining health impacted post-retirement travel.

Reading was a treat when he could carve out some time. He loved music of various genres, especially older classic country and blues. Dick enrolled in community education courses for seniors (ALIR) through NEISD. Foreign languages as French, Spanish, and Japanese were some of his favorite studies, in addition to History. He had a talent for drawing and painting which kept his mind occupied, particularly during his latter years when ill health started to take a greater toll. While living most years in San Antonio, he became a parishioner of St. Helena (alongside his wife, Celeste) where he attended services for over 25 years.

Dick is predeceased by his father, William Kampe; his mother, Etta Seitz; and stillborn son, Richard Kampe. Dick is survived by his wife (37 years), Celeste Kampe; sister, Donna Murray; daughters, Geralyn Fox (Todd); Kristin Warshak (Greg); Jennifer Thalman (Timothy); mother-in-law, Chele Ortiz; sister-in-law, Letty Silva (Andy Cantu); brothers-in-law, Aaron Ortiz (Hilda Araiza); Philip Ortiz (Olga Lopez); Eric Ortiz (Teresa); Kevin Connelly (Janie); grandsons, Joshua Warshak; Zachary Warshak; Aiden Thalman; granddaughter, Joan Thalman; and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation services were conducted in San Antonio. A memorial service is scheduled for May 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM at Puente & Sons Funeral Chapels (Judson Rd) followed by a rosary at 6:00 PM. A funeral mass will occur May 19, 2026 at 12:30 PM at St. Helena Catholic Church (Edgemont St). Service of committal/interment will follow the mass (May 19, 2026) at 2:00 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, SA, TX 78209). Funeral services have been entrusted to Puente & Sons Funeral Chapels (Northeast). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Helena Catholic Church Building Fund.