Peter Van Kampen Jr.

Van Kampen, Peter Jr.
WATERVLIET - Peter Van Kampen Jr. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at his home. Born on March 26, 1928, he was the son of the late Peter Van Kampen Sr. and Marion Bullinger Van Kampen. He was a proud graduate of Albany High School and Siena College, where he worked himself through school by working the night shift at the railroad.
After his graduation from Siena, and following a stint in the Army, he began working for the New York State Public Service Commission, first in Syracuse and then in Albany. After years of Civil Service, he took a chance and signed on to head the newly-formed New York State Association of Independent Telephone Companies. As President of the Association, Peter saw the industry through a myriad of changes and upheavals, from the breakup of the Bell System, through the introduction of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology- the breakthrough that converts voice into digital packets, allowing phone calls over broadband internet, instead of traditional phone lines.
His time with the New York State Telephone Association (as it was later called) saw him constantly travelling, whether it was across New York State or around the country. Every year, his annual convention, always held in a beautiful New York State resort, was an event not to be missed. Peter made many good friends in the Empire State Society of Association Executives – the Association for Associations; they were the only other folks who understood exactly what he did.
His retirement years were active as well. After travelling all over the United States for business, retirement saw him expand his trips to Europe. He particularly loved travelling with his wife's Holy Names alumni group.
Besides his wife, Mary Joan, golf was the love of Peter's life. He got the golf bug caddying at the old Albany Country Club starting at the age of 13, and won a pair of city championships in the 1940s. In his senior year of high school, he qualified for a national amateur championship sponsored by Hearst Newspapers that sent him on an all-expenses paid trip to Los Angeles. There, he played Arnold Palmer head to head. He lost, but came away with a great story. He went on to more successful local championships, winning the Club Championship at Wolferts Roost several times and holding the course record for years. Peter's golf exploits are chronicled in the book, "Bogies and Billygoats: A History of the Albany Municipal Golf Course," by Eric Bryant.
Peter was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Mary Joan (Nertney) Van Kampen. He is survived by his children, Beth Mahar (late Ned), Katherine Czelusniak (Jim), Joan Lemme (Ralph), Peter A. Van Kampen (Juliet); his grandchildren, Anne Braim (Chris), Colin Mahar, Meghan Lemme, Jennifer Doud (Connor), Nicholas Van Kampen, Theodore Van Kampen, Daniel Lemme and Gregory Van Kampen; and his great-grandchildren, Emerson and Valerie Braim and Matilda Doud.
The family would like to express our deep gratitude for his caregivers, especially Nicole and Carly.
Visitation will be held at The Dufresne & Cavanaugh, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham, on Monday, March 2, 2026, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 498 Watervilet Shaker Rd., Latham, with Reverend Geoffrey Burke, celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Siena University at www.siena.edu or the Bleeding Disorders Association of Northeastern New York at www.bdaneny.org
For further information or to express a sentiment of condolence, please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com