Herbert Viets Camp Jr.

1935 - 2022

Herbert Viets Camp, Jr
March 31, 1935 - February 14, 2022
Stony Creek, CT: In the early morning hours of Valentine's Day 2022, Herbert Camp, 86, died at home surrounded by his family after a long and active life.
Herb was born on March 31, 1935, to Blanche Lawton Camp in Hartford, Connecticut. His father, Herbert Viets Camp, had died two months prior. Herb spent his childhood in New Britain, summering at the family home in Stony Creek. He attended Wesleyan University (Class of 1957) and then Columbia Law School (1960). For a year he clerked for a federal judge in California before moving back East, where he practiced law at Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York City.
He met Alice in 1958 and they married in August 1963. By temperament too independent to work in a large law firm and by preference a Connecticut resident he and Alice moved to Ridgefield in 1965. There he practiced law and real estate development. He was active with the Jaycees and the local Republican Party. From 1968 to 1974 he served Ridgefield and Redding as state representative to the Connecticut legislature. He closed his law practice in 2008 and retired to Stony Creek.
When he wasn't working he loved to be outdoors – an avid golfer, skier, sailor, swimmer, and driver of convertibles. Golf: Learned with his childhood friend, Rob Cairns, at Shuttle Meadow Country Club, then joining Silver Spring and Race Brook. He always had his clubs in the car. Sailing: A lifetime of summers at the family home in Stony Creek were spent mastering the currents, winds, and rocks of the Thimble Islands and Sachems Head, where he was an enthusiastic member of the Ensign fleet until he became captivated by the speed of multihulls. There were so many boats, too numerous to list here, and he loved the camaraderie of the Thimble Island Sailing Club. Skiing: Starting at Mad River Glen (again, with Rob) when in high school, he introduced Alice to the sport, eventually buying an A-frame at Okemo in 1976; on weekends and holidays from November through March the place was never empty. He swam wherever there was enough water, and drove with the top down every chance he could. Anybody in the family could find him by listening for his whistling – usually a favorite opera.
He is survived by Alice (married 58 years!); by his children and their spouses – Kristin (Fred) Sperber, Lawton (Beth) Camp, Whitney (John) Biafore, and Adrienne Camp; and by his cousins – Robert Ross and Lucy Ross Beckwith. He was cherished Papa to six grandchildren: Alice and Lea Sperber, Curtis and Anna Camp, and John and Angelina Biafore. His family and the many many friends he golfed, sailed, skied, and then had a drink or two with will always remember his honesty and generosity.
He was predeceased by cousin Herbert Ross.
Herb's family is grateful to Connecticut Hospice, and to Altaviera Gina Nunez, who provided untiring support at the end of his life.
Calling hours will be on Friday, February 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Stony Creek Congregational Church. There will be a service at the church on Saturday, February 19, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.