Roger M. Kamper

Roger M. Kamper

Born 12/24/1932

Born to Eternal Life 08/01/2024

Roger was born in Chicago, IL, to George and Rose Kamper. He graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1950, and enlisted in the US Air Force after graduating. He served in Alaska during the Korean Conflict. He married Barbara Dean on November 30, 1968. They spent 55 happy years together.

Roger’s employment included being a plaster/drywall estimator for McNulty Brothers Construction in Chicago, where he estimated the interior of the John Hancock Building. He relocated the family to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in 1971 and was a project manager at M. Ecker Co. Construction, where he worked for 10 years, supervising construction of high rise condos and Epcot. He was given the key to Miami for his part in building of hospitals, the convention center, and other iconic buildings. Subsequently, after a short employment at another construction company in Ft. Lauderdale, he and his wife Barbara decided to move in 1982 to Minocqua, Wisconsin, where Barbara’s family had been vacationing since the 1940’s. He thought he was retiring, and took up stained glass as a hobby, but then an opportunity arose at The Beacons for a project manager there and Roger was hired. He supervised the construction of The Beacons in the 1980s. After that project was done another opportunity arose when his son Mike went into the auto body business, and Roger helped in the office at Kamper Auto Body doing estimates on jobs for Mike and also doing the book work. He retired from that in his late 80s.

Roger lived a very full life and always had a good work ethic, leaving a legacy to his children and grandchildren reflecting it in their jobs. He never missed work, and was always a dependable hard worker.

His other hobbies included golfing, going on walks, fishing, and going to the Lake of the Torches Casino. He also enjoyed going to the steak fry at the Legion in Minocqua once a month. He was an avid Packer Backer, and bit his nails down to nothing during the Packer games when the score was close. 

Roger leaves behind his loving wife Barbara, his adopted daughters Carole Janik and Janet Janik, his son Mike, grandchildren Joe Spinella, Stephanie Janik, Justin Barian, and Taylor Kamper, and great grandchildren Bentley Barian and Madison Barian, along with many friends and extended family.

Roger was a very respectful, kind, and loving person, and will be missed by many. He made many friends in life. He was never a complainer and always had a positive attitude.

He was preceded in death by his sons Gary, Danny, and Greg, his parents George and Rose Kamper, his sister Agnes King, and other cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Roger drew his last breath at the age of 91 with his daughter Janet holding his hand. 

Celebration of Life Services with Military Honors will be held on Sunday, August 11th at the Madsen-Empey American Legion Post 89 in Minocqua, WI from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to his caregiver's Alexis Batiste and Jaden Dern for their exceptional care given over the past four months.