Richard "Dick" VanCamp, 70, died Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at his daughters home in Bismarck, ND after a long battle with heart and kidney failure.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Monday, February 6, 2006 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Nancy Hanson officiating.

Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Richard Dale VanCamp was born March 23, 1935 in White Pine, West Virginia, the son of Joseph Paris and Lelah Viola (Simers) VanCamp. He grew up in Calhoun County. He attended school at Calhoun County H.S. in Grantsville, WV. Following high school he worked as a merchant marine on the iron ore boats in the Great Lakes for Cleveland Cliffs Co. from 1953-58. He then entered the US Army in 1958 where he was stationed in Germany and honorably discharged in 1960.

On August 17, 1960, Dick married his sweetheart Patricia "Pat" Ann Harlin in Ecorse, MI. The couple lived in Duluth, MN where Dick worked for one season, before moving to Thief River Falls, MN in the fall of 1960. They bought a farmstead in 1968 north of Thief River Falls.

Dick was employed as an engineer at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls where he worked from the spring of 1961 until he retired in 2000.

Dick's greatest joy was spending time with family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He loved nature and enjoyed feeding the wildlife in his backyard. He enjoyed walking, reading, and was an avid sports fan. He served as president of the Woodworkers Union. He was a member of the American Legion and Eagles.

Dick is survived by 4 children, Norma (Jeff) Wagoner, Big Springs, WV, Rick (Mendi) VanCamp, Fargo, ND, Trish (Kory) Albert, Bismarck, ND and John (Pam) VanCamp, Fargo, ND; 10 grandchildren: Jake and Athena Wagoner, Seth and Adam VanCamp, Caitlyn, Corey, Carissa, Cylee and Cailey Albert and Jonah VanCamp; two brothers, Harlan (Gretchen) VanCamp, Harpers Ferry, WV, and Ronald VanCamp, Glen Bernie, MD.

He was preceded in death by wife Pat in 2003; his parents; and three brothers, Robert, Eugene, and Ronnie.

ORGANIST: Judy Hogberg
SOLOIST: Wendy Blazejewski
SELECTIONS: How Great Thou Art, Angels Among Us, Wind Beneath My Wings
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Amazing Grace
MILITARY HONORS: American Legion Ecklund-Holmstrom Post #117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2793