John passed away Aug. 14, 2022 in a memory care facility from complications of Parkinson's Disease. He was born in Watsonville, CA, to Ida Hanken and Harry Brockamp. He had two sisters, Harriett and Mary Ann, and two brothers, Richard and Robert (Bob) who all preceded him in death. The family moved to Oregon when he was 8 years old and he grew up in Mt. Angel. He attended Mt. Angel Prep School, the class of 1946. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1946-1948. John married Bonnie Culley from Silverton, OR, in 1951. They had two sons, David John Brockamp and Benjamin Joseph Brockamp, and one daughter, Carla Marie Alstat of Clackamas, OR. Benjamin died Aug. 25, 1973, and David died Sept. 2, 1973, both of tragic accidents. He has two grandchildren, Nick Alstat of Clackamas and Katy Alstat of Lake Oswego. Bonnie died in November of 1993.
He married Peggy Klosterman from Milwaukie, OR, in 1995 who had five children: Paula Weisberger of Bethel, Maine; Art (Karen) Klosterman of Salem, OR; John Klosterman, David (Kim) Klosterman and Theresa (Jim) Deibele all of Portland, OR. They are blessed with an additional nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
John had a passion for fishing and was proud of the 135 lb. striped marlin he caught in 1989 in Baja, Mexico. He was a devout Catholic and daily Mass-goer until his health deteriorated. He loved his family and friends and helped them during various crises. He loved adventures like marathon runs, zip lining, rock climbing on a cruise ship, family picnics and parties. He also had great fun driving his unique electric ELF mobile around town.
John was a generous man to many causes. He donated his home farm property of 11 acres to Catholic Charities in 2012 and was thankful that he could attend the groundbreaking ceremony for their low-income housing project on this property in Happy Valley, OR, on March 28, 2022. He was a devoted oblate at Mt. Angel Seminary and belonged to various other civic organizations including the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis and Serra Club.
John was a founding partner and principal in Brockamp & Jaeger Construction Company for 30 years and loved his work. He was especially proud of the Christ the King Church their firm built in 1980 with architect, Pietro Belluschi and the Chapel of Christ the Teacher at the Univ. of Portland. John's gift was his builder mentality, whether building with his hands, organizing a team, or persuading and teaching others to build. With his wife, Peggy, and a large team of volunteers and supporters he raised more than $3 million over 20 years for a hospital serving the Tarahumara people in Creel, Mexico. This charity continues to thrive and support the Mission.
The family suggests donations in his memory be made to: (1) Tarahumara Children's Hospital Fund of Oregon, 14009 S.E. Matilda Dr., Milwaukie, OR, 97267 or to (2) Christ the King Church, 11709 S.E. Fuller Rd., Milwaukie, OR, 97222.
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