Guest Registry Entries:

__________________________________________________
Name: Dave Nordby
City: Post Falls
State: Idaho
Country: USA
Email: lyracist@roadrunner.com
Date: 10/10/2008

A Father, Husband, and good friend
A stand up man right to the end
Our loss is really Heaven's gain
Loving memories will remain

I am very sorry to hear about the loss of such a wonderful man. I am excited that he is now in Heaven's paradise!

To the Mayor, business owner, Husband, Father, and friend. Joe, you were fortunate to have him as your Dad. I was really happy to hear that you were excited for your Father's arrival into Heaven. Now he can be with his parents, brothers, and many friends. He was always proud of you my friend. I can't wait to read your book, especially the dedication to your Dad!

Your teammate, friend, and brother,

Dave

__________________________________________________
Name: Craig Singer
City: Post Falls
State: Idaho
Email: Craigsinger@msn.com
Date: 10/10/08

It has been a pleasure and honor for our family to have known and been involved with Mr and Mrs Kamps over the years.  There are many qualities about Mr Kamps that set him apart from others.  We have had the experience knowing a man of integrity, respect, and appreciation.  He has always been a man of his word in our relationship over the years.  We hope others have been as blessed to experience the qualities of such a man.  His friends and family have a lot to be thankful for.
We can only hope there are a few more Don Kamps still living and hopefully many more in the future.

__________________________________________________
Name: Tracy Singer & Family
City: Rathdrum
State: ID
Date: 10/10/08

Dear Lorraine, Joe & Family,

What a gracious, and kind, man your husband and father was.  For the brief period I had to know him was a privilege. He always seemed to have a smile and was an excellent example to anyone who knew him. What a gentleman. 

We wish you well during these tough times.

Most of all I would like to thank Don for is heroism and service to our great country during WWII. 

May God Bless you all!

__________________________________________________
Name: Kim Brown
City: Post Falls
State: ID
Country: USA
Email: brownricelk@aol.com 
Date: 10-10-08

PRESERVING POST FALLS HISTORY

Don was a Charter member of the Post Falls Historical Society, and was elected to serve on the Society's first Board of Directors.

He shared childhood, boyhood, business, veteran, and city history with the Society. He was the first resident interviewed for the Society's oral video history program. For many years, he served as the Society's director emeritus.

He loved Post Falls, and the people. Through his eyes we viewed some of people and places that are no longer with us.


He believed as many of us do. "To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root". (Chinese proverb)

Through his eyes, we saw old Post Falls and some of its businesses. We met some of the leaders of the town. We
went to school and delivered papers with Don. We saw Post Falls as a place where a widow raised 7 sons, at a residence that included a garden, chickens, and cows. We were with him on the day Pearl Harbor was attacked as he he butchered 12 chickens for the locker. We went to China with him as a radio mechanic and staff sergeant in the US Army Air Force, 317th Fighter Group.

Through his story, we saw the town practice its religion. We saw his interest in music and his involvement in the Lyric Club. We learned of his first start in business, as a service station operator, and later as a restaurant and motel owner.

He was active in the community in organizations like the Lions Club, and his involvement in government included the planning and zoning commission, city council and a term as mayor. He grew up with the town, and he saw it change and evolve.

Some of my favorite Don Kamps memories include him walking to and from school everyday, admiring the "shiny red tractor" in the display window at Seyforth's Grocery. Money was tight, and there was not much chance of ever having that shiny red tractor. It is not known how it ended up under the Kamps family Christmas tree. Did it come from the generosity of his older brothers, the frugality of his mother, or could the Seyforth family who owned the store made "the difference in a gift of the season"? Who knows? Don knew the value of gifts, both large and small. He never forgot this action, and valued the experience of both giving and receiving.

Another memory involved a particular Sunday morning in Post Falls with the wind and snow blizzarding down Third Street. Don delivered newspapers, including one to Rev. Watson,(Doc Watson's dad. Rev. Watson invited him inside to warm up and share a plate of hot pancakes. Don never forgot this act of generosity, which warmed him at the time, and later just talking about it. The Kamps family was Catholic and Rev. Watson preached at the Assembly of God church.

Don truly appreciated "the little things" of life.
I have so enjoyed talking and chatting with Don and Lorraine about their memories of Post Falls. Because of their gifts, we have more to share, and more to pass on to the next generation. Volunteers of historic preservation in Post Falls have had a great friend in Don Kamps.

He was a quiet, insightful gentleman, a leader and a teacher. I have so enjoyed learning from him. Special thanks always to Don Kamps and his family.

Kim Brown

__________________________________________________
Name: Carol Valente & Family
City: Post Falls
State: Idaho
Email: CarolJeanValente@yahoo.com 
Date: October 10, 2008

Been in Post Falls for 38 years and always was greeted with a smile and good conversation from Mr. Kamps. Saw him every so often in the post office and we always talked. Know Post Falls will miss him!

Carol Valente and Family

__________________________________________________
Name: Linda Stolley
City: Post Falls
State: ID
Email: linda_stolley@yahoo.com 
Date: 10/10/08

I am sorry to hear of your loss. I hope that the all the memories of the special ways he touched and shaped your lives will give you comfort and peace. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

__________________________________________________
Name: Rick Sweeney
City: Henderson
State: Nevada
Email: rngsweeney@aol.com 
Date: 10-11-08

Don had a really good life and he was as nice a person as there was. Don did a great deal for Post Falls community. We are losing a great generation of true hero's.
Joe & the rest of the family you have a great loss but have a great legacy to always remember.

__________________________________________________
Name: Jennifer (Kamps) Kumjian
City: Spokane
State: WA
Country: US
Email: jennyjokumji@comcast.net 
Date: 10-12-08

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the rains fall on your fields and
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
~Traditional Gaelic Blessing~

Don Kamps was my grandfather, my father and friend all at once. He mentored me in numerous ways, but most importantly, he taught me the importance of love, family and spirituality. His smile warmed the coldest of hearts and I recall on many occassions growing up in Post Falls, citizens would often stop me and say, "Now, you're Don Kamps' granddaughter! What a sweet, kind man." His own father, Charles Kamps, passed when Grandpa was at the tender age of five. My comfort in this difficult moment is that his father was there to greet him at the gates of Heaven, open arms, laughing and celebrating the unity of his own family once again. Grandpa moved with grace and loved life. Gentle, kind and full of love, I pray that others may strive to follow his examples of how to live, love and respect. I made a promise to my Grandpa the night before he passed that we would all watch over my Grandmother as she attempts to recover from the loss of her husband of nearly 68 years. We can best continue loving and admiring him through sharing our stories with Lorraine, my loving and dearest Grandmother. She needs to know that while her dance partner awaits for her in Heaven, that we have not forgotten her here on Earth. God bless and thank you all for your prayers and support.

__________________________________________________
Name: Jan (Dean) Litzenberger
City: Post Falls
State: Idaho
Email: jlitzenb@hotmail.com 
Date: October 12, 2008

I was so sorry to read in the paper about your Dad. My Dad (Lee Dean)and Mom said that your parents were the first people that they met when they moved to Post Falls in 1952. They rented the "front" apartment from them and always said they were good people. Both your Dad and mine cared alot for Post Falls till the end..how special is that in these times. Again sorry for your loss.

__________________________________________________
Name: Linda Bengtson
City: Post Falls,
State: Id
Country: Usa
Email: lmsbengt@verizon.net
Date: 10/16/08

My condolences to the family .
Jennifer and Jessica I was so sorry to read of you Grandfather's death . I know you will both miss him a lot as he was a big part of your lives.
And Joe , so sorry to hear of your Father's death.
May God grant the whole famiily peace and comfort at this time.
Sincerely

Linda Bengtson

__________________________________________________
Name: Larry Kenck
City: Post Falls
State: Idaho
Email: lkenck@msn.com
Date: October 29, 2008

I was out of town and I had missed the passing and services of such a fine and gentle man.  God has a special place for special people and that is where Don now resides.  My best to all. Larry Kenck

Updated - 10/30/2008 09:27:12 AM
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