Obituary of Henry "Hank" Kampf

On November 7th, 1937 Henry Arthur Kampf was born to Henry Herman Kampf and Beatrice Rose Heinholzer in Denver, Colorado. Hank as he was known attended lip reading school at the age of five due to his hearing, he then attended Washington Elementary. His teenage years he went to West Junior in Littleton, Colorado. At the age of thirteen Hank was kicked out of his home by his step-father. It was then he came to Kit Carson to live with his relatives the Lloyd Williams family. After the Williams family no longer needed Hank’s help, he went to Cheyenne Wells looking for work, he found a job with Billy, Dale and Lucille Miller. It was then in 1953 that he met the love of his life Nancy Ardrey. In 1955, Hank joined the Navy, he sailed the seven seas, traveled the world, went to the Arctic, and sailed across the equator. He was the quarter master seaman on the U.S.S Iowa battleship. He was very proud of his military service. He came back to Cheyenne Wells in 1958 with an honorable discharge and on November 7th he married the love of his life Nancy. To this union 4 children were born Henry Arthur Kampf Jr on July 25th 1959, Serena Lee Ann on August 12th 1961, Michelle Renae on July 31st 1962, and Shirley Mae on January 8th 1964. Hank spent his young working years helping on the John Ardrey farm and at the Coop. He then moved his family to Colorado Springs where he drove truck, after a few years, he moved his family to Arkansas were he cut timber. Then after only a few years there he moved the family back to Cheyenne County. He worked at the Alpine Ranch, then to the Cage Ranch for several years. Hank then retired with Mull Drilling Company, after 20+ years. Ranching was his passion, he loved it. He loved to ride his horse, and work with cattle. Dad always said he was born 100 years too late, he thought the old way was the best way, and loved the 1800’s way of life. Dad and mom enjoyed traveling on their motorcycle with family and friends on road trips. They also enjoyed spending time fishing at Eads Lake, marble games with Francis and Alberta Engelbrecht their good friends, was almost a weekly occurrence. A glass of tea with Norman and Alice Akers so us kids could play war a highlight for us all. Dad enjoyed life period, with all of his brothers and sister-in-laws, his family in Grand Junction, just everyone. He was a very simple man he always went along to get along (with mom) if he didn’t well then mom could be hard to deal with, but truthfully Dad never seemed to mind. To all that knew Hank, knew he was an “Ol Cowboy.” He wore many hats in his life. He was a wonderful husband, dad, brother, grandpa, great grandpa, brother-in-law, friend, cousin, and just a “Good Ol Boy.” There was an inside joke with the family that dad had selective hearing and that he had earned a stairway to Heaven. On November 12th 2015 he took that step. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. Hank was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy of 54 years, his mother and father, a granddaughter Brassie Kampf, daughter-in-law Dixie Kampf, his brothers John Kampf and Harry Storm and brother-in-laws, Fred and Floyd Adrey. Hank is survived by his sister Betty Lou Kenney of Grand Junction, Colorado, a sister-in-law Donna Kampf of Grand Junction, Colorado, his children; Butch Kampf of Grand Junction, Colorado, Serena Hendrickson of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, Michelle Kampf of Centrilia, Washington, Shirley Kampf (Dan) Garton of Casper, Wyoming, his sister-in-laws, Joan Kiber of Bullhead City, Arizona, Bonnie (Leonard) Drumm of Olney Springs, Colorado, Alice (Norman) Akers of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Henry A. Kampf died unexpectedly on November 12th 2015 at Keefe Memorial Hospital in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado due to C.O.P.D complications.