Jack A. Kampmeier ’57 died March 26, 2011.
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JACK A. KAMPMEIER ’57

Jack A. Kampmeier, family man, research scientist and innovative educator, died March 26, 2011, of complications following a pernicious attack of double pneumonia.

Born in 1935, Jack spent his entire professional life associated with the University of Rochester in New York. There, he ran the table of accomplishments following his Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Illinois in 1960. Jack began his career as an instructor in free radical chemistry and advanced to professor of chemistry in 1971. He served six years as department head, followed by a stint as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Jack vigorously devoted his later years to pedagogical research. In 2008, he and two others received the prestigious James Flack Norris Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Chemistry for developing a workshop model, wherein small teams of students interact with the next year’s classes to solve challenging problems, a significant and successful departure from the usual lecture/recitation model.

Fully retired in 2010, Jack is survived by Anne, his wife of 52 years and love of his life since the fifth grade; their three successful children, Scott ’84, Margaret and Stephen ’90, and their spouses and children; his mother; and four siblings.

Jack’s life embraced not only his scientific and pedagogical research but a taste for worldwide travel and a determination always to act on clearly definable facts in avoidance of political gamesmanship. He had a large horn to blow but chose to avoid the limelight and placed the value of family above all else. He was a dominant, but not domineering, man of broad interests, high character and honest values, always eager to assist others in achieving their goals.

Jack Kampmeier’s memory will long remain with the countless students, colleagues and friends whose lives he brightened and enlightened.

—Robert S. Neale ’57