Paul Krampert, 80, died on April 12, 2024 in Tillamook, OR as he was leaving the YMCA after his daily swim. He was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on June 30, 1943, the eldest child of Alfred Paul Krampert. Sr. and Karla Marie Balk. He attended local schools in Kenosha and graduated from Wisconsin Academy, Columbus, WI in 1961. He received a B.A. in history and chemistry from Walla Walla University in 1965 and a law degree from Willamette University in 1969. He worked as a garbage collector in Salem while attending law school and developed a passion for gardening while living for a time on a small farm in Idaho with his former wife, Karen Schoepflin. Upon his return to Kenosha in the 1980’s, Paul worked for the Kenosha Parks Department and did yard work for family and friends. Paul tended his aging grandparents, John and Karla Balk and after they passed away maintained his residence in their home. As his parents in Oregon eventually also needed his help and attention, he also traveled to Oregon to assist them and maintain their home in Oceanside.
Paul was passionate about gardening and swimming, and pursued lifelong interests in baseball,religion, literature, philosophy and history. He loved music and played the organ for Grace Lutheran Church in Kenosha and for several churches in Tillamook. When he was able, he preferred to ride a bicycle even in winter and visited the YMCA in both Kenosha and Tillamook regularly. He brought his harmonica and small flute to the Y and played music for the enjoyment of everyone while he waited for transportation.
He was preceded in death by his parents, several aunts and uncles, and a cousin. He is survived by an aunt, Irma Ruth Harvick of Yardley, PA; a sister, Karla A. Walters (Kenneth) of Bellevue, WA; a brother, James R. Krampert (Tara Mattie) of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA and nieces Karen Brentnall, Mary Walters, and Maren Krampert; nephews Zane Krampert and Leif Krampert, and sixteen cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Tillamook Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, May 4. As a resident of both Wisconsin and Oregon, Paul’s ashes will be spread in places he loved in both states. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tillamook County Family YMCA or to the Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, or to a charity of one’s choice.
