Harry F Camper

Harry F. Camper passed away in Laurinburg, North Carolina on May 5, 2016 at age 90 after a long and satisfying life. The cause was liver cancer. Harry was born in Hagerstown, MD on January 2, 1926 to Clara Frampton, a milliner, and F. Rawlins Camper, a druggist. The family settled in Dover, DE when Harry was in the second grade. In high school Harry dated Ginny (Carolyn Virginia) Raughley, a popular athlete and valedictorian. Harry and his older brothers Randolph and Rawlins all served in WWII. Harry was a member the 254th infantry, 63rd Division, Company I. He had an "all expenses-paid walking tour of France and Germany" and fought on the front lines from February 1944 until the end of the war. He continued as part of the occupying forces through April 1946. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and received two bronze service stars, a purple heart, and a bronze star for heroic achievement in Jebsheim, France. It is a testament to his wisdom, strategic thinking, and luck that he survived. He resumed his studies at University of Delaware with funding from the GI Bill. He played the tuba and graduated in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in engineering.

Harry married Ginny on June 5, 1948, and they had five children: Susan (Bill) Kuhling of Loveland, CO, Sally Camper (Bob Lyons) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Diane Camper (Ronald L. Reed, Jr.) of Dover, DE, Debby Camper (John Davies) of Indianapolis, IN, Sandy Camper (Kevin Rhoads) of Berlin, NY. During Harry's life together with Ginny, he worked for the Delaware State Board of Healthin a variety of capacities, including water and air pollution, and hospital administration. He believed that anything was possible if you put your mind to it. The house that he and Ginny built on evenings and weekends, with two toddlers in tow, was evidence of this. Harry placed a high value on education and was an elected member of the local school board and the State Board of Education. He served as President of the State Board and was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 1985. He went door to door and was effective in encouraging people to register to vote. Harry, Ginny, and family camped and hiked in all 48 contiguous states and 9 provinces of Canada. He was active in scouting and enjoyed giving underprivileged children the opportunity to experience the outdoors. He had an artistic eye and loved photography, including presenting travelogues and designing Christmas cards in his home darkroom. Harry retired in 1980, and Ginny died in 1981. They had planned to spend their retirement traveling and hiking the entire Appalachian Trail.

Harry married A. Yvonne Russell, MD, PhD on Sept. 2, 1984. Yvonne had two adult children, Richard Russell (Thomas Ouellette) and Maggie (Tony) Pico, who Harry cared for deeply. Harry and Yvonne lived in Galveston, TX and Naples, FL before settling in Laurinburg, NC in 1999. They enjoyed spending time in Provincetown, MA and traveling around the world, including Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Harry worked on renovation of a tall sailing ship, the Elyssa, and crewed part of the journey from Galveston to New York Harbor in 1986 for the 100th birthday of the Statue of Liberty. Harry accompanied Yvonne to numerous professional meetings around the country, often providing his perspective as the spouse of a busy physician.

Harry will be remembered for his warmth, friendliness, integrity, loyalty, sense of humor, and ability to tell a good story. He maintained enduring friendships with many, including his high school friends Charles Legates, George Bundek, and Buck Bell. His grandchildren will remember his entertaining antics in the kitchen, cooking breakfast on the beach with the camp stove, and swimming in the Scotia pool. In recent years he has enjoyed the friendship and loving companionship of Sarah Lozier, for which we are very grateful. Ginny Camper, Yvonne Russell, Randolph Camper, and Rawlins Camper predeceased Harry. His sister Elizabeth Ann Scott, 7 children, 10 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren survive him. As a devoted family man, loyal friend, professional, and volunteer, Harry touched many hearts in Delaware, Galveston, Naples, and in Laurinburg at Scotia Village. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.A Memorial Service will be held at Scotia Village on Friday, May 13 at 10 am. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in his name to the National Park Foundation (https://myaccount.nationalparks.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=458) orthe Appalachian Trail Conservancy (www.appalachintrail.org/memorial).



Read Harry Camper's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdougald.com.