Dr. Edwin Oskamp, 85, of North Palm Beach, FL, passed away in Newton, NJ, Saturday, January 4, 2020. Born to Dirk and Elsie (Kerkhoven) Oskamp in Paterson, NJ, Ed grew up in Wayne, NJ. He married Joan Steutel in 1957 and settled in Milton, NJ, later moving to Hampton, NJ, and retiring to North Palm Beach, FL.
Dr. Oskamp graduated from Pompton Lakes High School in 1951 and William Patterson Teachers College. He earned a PhD in Education from Columbia University. Respected by teachers and students alike, Dr. Oskamp served as principal in West Milford and superintendent of schools in Hampton Township during the time Marion E. McKeown School was being designed and built, as well as in Andover, NJ.
Ed was in the Air Force Reserve and a member of Milton, NJ, First Aid Squad. He was a member of Branchville, NJ, Rotary, where he and Joan coordinated the International Youth Exchange program for many years. He was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. On retirement Ed joined Rotary of the Palm Beaches. He was a member of Trinity UMC of Palm Beach Gardens, with whom he went on several mission trips to Guatemala where they built a school. He volunteered both at the church and the local hospital for many years, showing up with good humor and a willingness to help in whatever ways he could. Ed enjoyed golfing, reading, keeping fit in the gym and pool. When he didn't answer his cell he was probably on the beach watching the sun rise.
Edwin was predeceased by his wife Joan, brother Garry, and sisters Ann and Elsie. He is survived by a brother Richard Oskamp (June) of North Haledon, NJ, and brother-in-law George (Gene) Steutel of Palm Harbor, FL. Ed will be missed by his daughters Shirley Oskamp (Gary Lindorff) of Middletown Springs, VT, and Suellyn McGlew (Michael) of Blairstown, NJ, as well as his granddaughters Sarah and Caitlin Colletti, Kylie and Lauren McGlew and step-grandson Evan Lindorff-Ellery.
A Service Celebrating Edwin Oskamp's Life will be held 11:00AM Saturday, February 8, at Trinity United Methodist Church of Palm Beach Gardens, 9625 N Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL.
Memorial donations may be made to your local church or Rotary Club, or to Northern Palm Beaches Rotary Club, PO Box 31315, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420-1315. Checks may be made payable to Northern Palm Beaches Rotary Club Foundation, Inc.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High Street, Newton, NJ.
Online condolences may be offered at
(www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Palm Beach Post from Jan. 20 to Jan. 21, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Edwin Oskamp

Sponsored by Smith-McCracken Funeral Home - Newton.

8 Entries

Mark S Olsen

January 6, 2025

Ed was a great man, learned so much from him.

henry van dyke

January 15, 2021

I knew Ed when he lived in Oak Ridge, NJ as a member of the Presbyterian Church there. When he prayed, he did it in 'God Talk', sounding like something out of Psalms. I made a Hawkin black powder rifle for him to hunt deer with in NJ. I hope it is still around as I counted 26 deer in a local school playground last week.
God bless his family,
Henry Van Dyke
(also grew up in Wayne & 85 years young)

George Iannacone

February 18, 2020

It was ab honor to know Ed as colleague and friend. A dedicated educator. He was well respected, genial, and a credit to his profession. Ave, Atque, Vale.

Sean Olsen

February 7, 2020

While I only got to really know Ed the last couple years, his wit and hard work ethic will be greatly missed. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Ed Tuesday mornings at Trinity.

Thank you for your friendship Ed!

John Hildreth

February 7, 2020

During the years Ed and I worked the Tuesday morning work crew at Trinity, we were called the "two work Doctors" by the school kids who couldn't figure two "doctors" doing maintenance work there. The 85 year old doctor was amazing in what he could do, fixing and repairing things about which he had had no prior training, as had I. However, he showed up every Tuesday morning, a smile on his face, and most mornings, a New England joke on his lips, ready to do whatever dirty work there was to be done. I loved working with and knowing Ed and will miss him immensely!

Jack Hildreth

February 6, 2020

Mr. Oskamp was a godly man who had a Spiritual gift of serving and he served wholeheartedly on Mission trips and on our maintenance team at church. We will miss him.

Carol Tremper

January 21, 2020

You welcomed me to McKeown, which had opened two years earlier as a MUSE-IGE school (Multiple Unit School, Elementary-Individually Guided Education). After I taught two years as a Unit III 5th/6th grade teacher, you started me on my career as a Gifted & Talented Education specialist. I had a wonderful career, thanks to your encouragement and vision. You were an inspiration! God bless.
Carol Tremper

Jacqueline Conforti Barnett

January 14, 2020

Dr. Oskamp, I remember you fondly as our first principal at Marion E. McKeown School. My condolences to the entire family.

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