Robert B. Kamm

October 12, 2008 01:29 am

— Robert B. Kamm, formerly of Stillwater, died Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, in Okmulgee. He was 89. A private family burial service will be held. A memorial service will be at First United Methodist Church at a later date. Strode Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
He was born Jan. 22, 1919, in West Union, Iowa, to Balz and Amelia Etter Kamm. He married Maxine Moen on July 10, 1943, in Inwood, Iowa.
Dr. Kamm graduated valedictorian of West Union High School in 1936. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1940 and taught high school in Belle Plaine, Iowa, from 1940-1942. He earned his M.A. degree in 1946 and his Ph.D. degree in 1948 from the University of Minnesota. Work on the graduate degrees was interrupted for service in World War II. Kamm served as a civilian radio communications instructor for the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942-1944 and was in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946 as a radar technician. During this period he received part of his training on the campus of Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater. Both Bob and Maxine often remarked how much they had enjoyed Stillwater and hoped to return.
From 1948-1954 Dr. Kamm was Dean of Students at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1954 he became Dean of the Basic Division and Student Affairs at Texas A&M University in College Station. In 1958 he was named Dean of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University, and Stillwater became the Kamms’ new home. He was named Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1965 and OSU President in 1966. He served as President until 1977. As University Professor and Past President, he developed and taught education courses on the university presidency from 1977 to 1987. Also during 1976 and 1977 Dr. Kamm served as the U.S. member with ambassador rank to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Paris and as delegate to the 19th General Conference of UNESCO in Nairobi. From 1982-1992, he directed the Centennial Histories Project at OSU.
Dr. Kamm was the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and other recognitions of his many contributions and achievements. He is also the author of many articles and books. He has held positions of service and leadership for Stillwater, the state of Oklahoma, the Methodist church, Rotary International, the YMCA, Boy Scouts of America and more. He has served as trustee or director on the boards of many philanthropic, humanitarian and business organizations. He loved gardening, golf and travel and visited or served in more than 50 countries.
His family will remember not only his great example of Christian faith and service and his many achievements, but also his sense of humor, energy and sense of adventure. He truly loved people; he loved the students; and he had a great love for Stillwater and, of course, OSU. He was devoted to his wife and family. During his beloved wife Maxine’s illness, he chose to move out of their home and live with her in Grace Living Center for the last 14 months of her life.
He was predeceased by his wife, his parents, his brothers Harold Kamm and Balz Kamm, his sister Ednah Mae Goines, and his great-granddaughter Nevaeh Kamm. He is survived by his daughter Susan White and her husband Phil of Longmont, Colo.; son Steve Kamm and his wife Peggy of Okmulgee; grandchildren Jeff White and his wife Sarah of Longmont, Colo.; Derek Kamm and his wife Rebekah of Mounds; Clay Kamm and Adrienne Hickman of Glenpool; Jessica Mackey and her husband Jace of Morris; and great grandchildren Makayla Rain Kamm, Jacey Mackey and Aiden Robert Kamm. He is also survived by his sister Barbara Temple of West Union, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, the following are suggested recipients of memorial gifts: OSU Foundation, 400 S. Monroe St., Stillwater, OK 74074; First United Methodist Church, 400 W. 7th Ave., Stillwater, OK 74074; Stillwater YMCA, 204 S. Duck St., Stillwater, OK 74074; and Stillwater Medical Center Foundation, P.O. Box 2408, Stillwater, OK 74076. There are scholarships in the Kamms’ names at OSU and Stillwater Medical Center which could be designated if the donor wishes.
Condolences may be e-mailed to the family and an online obituary viewed at www.strodefh.com.