Peter Kamp

Peter Kamp was one of nine children born to John and Cornelia (Sporte) Kamp on July 2, 1924 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They were members of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation and sent the children to Hastings Street Christian, a school associated with the church. Through the covenant of home, church and school, Peter’s parents fulfilled their promise to raise their children in the Christian faith.

Peter’s father was a carpenter by trade, but during the depression years there was very little carpentry work to be done. He moved the family from the city to a farm on 32nd Street. Pete had been attending Davis Tech in Grand Rapids but, like many students of his generation, he left school to help his family on the farm.

Because much of Pete’s life involved church and school, he quite naturally met a young woman there who would become his wife. With her family, Emeline Kwekel, was a member of the same church and school as Peter. Over the years, the two had become good friends and eventually a romance developed. However, their courtship was interrupted when WWII broke out. Pete was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the European Theater as a Staff Sergeant in the infantry. He wrote home to Emeline, and sometimes the letters arrived with sand in them from the foxhole Pete had been sitting in while he wrote. Then, during the last days of the war, Pete and his platoon were captured in Germany by the German Army. He spent two weeks as a Prisoner of War before being liberated by the U.S. Army. Understandably, Pete did not talk much about his war experiences until much later in life. Even so, he was a very patriotic man.

After his discharge, Pete returned to Grand Rapids and went back to work with his father on the farm. He and Emeline became engaged and, after another year of courtship, they were married in February of 1947. It was the day of a huge snow storm, when the weather was so bad that they were not able to go on a honeymoon. Instead, they settled into a small house on Eastern Avenue and eventually moved to a home near the farm, where Pete continued to work. When presented with an opportunity to learn the building trade, Pete ventured into a trade that served his family his entire career.

Pete first worked as a cement man and then, following in his father footsteps, he learned carpentry. The job suited him well, and he really enjoyed building, so much so that he wanted to build his own home. Having skimped and saved enough during the early 50s, Pete and Emeline purchased a lot on Leonard Street NE and finished out a new house mostly with used lumber. They were building for their family which eventually grew to five children: Kay, Joan, David, John and Lynn. When the proposed I96 expressway was sited go directly through their property, Pete purchased a lot just three blocks east and had the house moved. The family moved into a rented house on Ann Street NE, and Pete took matters calmly in hand. All went so smoothly that no items in the house were disturbed. That was fortunate for another reason: If anything had been damaged, the state would not have compensated them. Through it all, Pete felt the whole process was not in his hands alone.

Pete was a man of faith and a strong Christian father. Though a person of few words, he always took time to answer his children’s questions, often referring to a book from his vast collection. He had over 500 books in his home and liked to share the knowledge he learned from his reading. He especially thrilled to teach the young about God’s word and the truths of the Reformed Christian faith. To prepare for the catechism classes he taught, Pete spent several hours in preparation. He immersed himself in the things of the Lord, and it showed. Because of his sincere and humble approach, Pete was a favorite teacher. He was loved by the students, and he loved them.

Pete was a member of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation his entire life, and he served as an elder as well as a member of the school board. Pete was also one of the original team members that started a mission project of sending out printed sermons in booklet form. To this day, “The Inheritance Publishers” is still operating with a very large mailing list and distribution. Though it was a project Pete knew he could do, he attributed all growth to the blessings of God.

In the mid 80s, Pete was diagnosed with a kidney disease and could no longer do the physical labor required for carpentry work. He went into estimating building projects for Sobie Incorporated. Over the years, he worked on several projects around Grand Rapids, one of the last being an addition to Butterworth Hospital that included the helicopter pad. He took pride in his work and did it to the best of his abilities.

Pete retired at age 65 from Sobie Incorporated and was given a retirement gift of a trip to Florida. He soon filled his time at the Plymouth Christian School (formerly Hastings Street), volunteering in maintenance and yard work. Pete had always loved gardening and grew some fruit and a lot of vegetables. He also kept a small green house at his home and started new plantings that he gave away. In whatever work he did, Pete was laboring for the kingdom of God. He never wanted to take any credit for himself, but he gave all the glory to God.

About the time of his retirement, Pete had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. But neither that nor anything else could cause him to complain. He often said, “What does a living man have to complain about?” Rather, he recalled the truths that he had taught his children in song and prayer. One of the first songs they learned was “Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah,” and their bedtime prayer spoke peace to his heart:

O Lord teach me to pray,

Convert me,

Give me a new heart.

Open my eyes,

Forgive my sins,

Keep me through the night,

For Jesus’ sake, Amen

Pete took strength from his favorite Psalters: “Mindful of Our Human Frailty is the God in Whom We Trust,” “Rise, Help and Redeem Us, Thy Mercies We Trust.” Even as others prayed for Pete during his illness, he prayed continually for his wife, his children, his grandchildren, great grandchildren and the church, the school and the pastors of the church. Pete unconditionally loved all those God put in his life.

Throughout his entire life, Pete loved and served the Lord. He was certain of God’s providence leading him in everything, both the good and the bad. In 2004, he was infected with a virus which left him in a weakened condition. He was able to return home after brief stay in a rest home and was cared for by his wife and family. On October 15, Pete was admitted to the hospital and passed away very early Thursday morning, the 25th.

Pete will be remembered as a quiet man with a big heart and deep love for the Lord. He lived his life in gratitude for the salvation he received through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

Mr. Peter Kamp, aged 83 of Grand Rapids passed away Thursday morning October 25, 2007. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter Elissa Kamp. Surviving are his wife, of 60 years, Emeline Kamp, his children: Kay and Robert VanderZand, Joan B. Kamp, David P. and Geraldine Kamp, John R. and Jane Kamp, Lynn E. and John VanDyke III, his grandchildren: Robert J. and Diane VanderZand, Rodney and Meleah VanderZand, Daryl Kamp and fiancé Jennifer Conens, Jared Kamp, Carolyn and Jonathan Roelofs, Nathan Kamp, Jason Kamp, Andrew Kamp, Eric and Brenda Kamp, Gregory and Joanna Kamp, Melanie Kamp, Katelyn Kamp, Monica Van Dyke, John VanDyke IV, Scott Van Dyke, Aaron Van Dyke, Calvin Van Dyke, 7 great grandchildren, his brothers, sisters and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law John and Joan Kamp, Gertrude and Rich Westrate, Jane and Dan DeMeester, Helen Kamp, Martina and George Feyter, Richard and Ruth Kamp, Henry and Lena Kamp, Ada and Henry Bloem, his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Betty and Adrian DeVisser, Jim and Judy Kwekel, Gary and Gerrie Kwekel and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1:30 P.M. at the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Church 540 Crescent St. N.E. with Dr. Joel R. Beeke and Rev. Foppe VanderZwaag officiating. Interment will be in Fairplains Cemetery with military honors. Mr. Kamp reposes at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. where relatives and friends may meet his family Saturday from 7-9 P.M. and Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Plymouth Christian School foundation and the Friendship Mission would be appreciated. To share a memory of Peter or to sign the online register book, please visit www.lifestorynet.com