Dr. Frederick H. Stenkamp

His parents, the late John G. and Theresa H. (Sachtjen) Stenkamp, were natives of Westphalia, Germany.

Dr. Stenkamp worked in the sawmills in Bend, Oregon, at Shevlin-Hixon and Leonard Lundgren. He also worked in the 1950’s and 1960 for the U.S Forest Service in the Deschutes National Forest in Central Oregon.

Discharged as Staff Sergeant, Dr. Stenkamp was a veteran of four years in the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1952, with assignments in the United States, the Philippine Islands, Japan, and he saw action in the Korean War. He participated in the Inchon Landing in September of 1950. He was among the last of the soldiers to be evacuated from Hungnam on Christmas Day, 1950.

Dr. Stenkamp earned an Associate Degree at Central Oregon Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree at Portland State, and a Master’s Degree in History at the University of Oregon.

In 1959, he earned a Fulbright Scholarship to Bonn, Germany, the first ex-C.O.C.C Student to gain such distinction. He also was the first C.O.C. C Student body President and its first 4.00-point grade student. From 1960 to 1964, he continued graduate studies at the University of California Berkeley, where he also was awarded a twelve month grant to pursue research in Germany. He subsequently earned a Ph.D. at Michigan State University. Dr. Stenkamp specialized in modern German history and presented a number of scholarly papers on the Prussian Army of the 19th Century.

He also participated in a workshop in military history at the Military Academy in West Point , New York, where he led discussions on aspects of modern military history.

Dr. Stenkamp served for three years on the faculty at the Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and twenty-five years at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan.

At Northern Michigan he was active in faculty and university affairs, serving twelve years on the Academic Senate and six years on the Executive Committee of the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors; for two years he was president of the chapter.

He retired in 1993 with the attribute of Emeritus Professor of History. Since retirement Dr. Stenkamp also taught a number of courses in history at NMU as Adjunct Professor.

He leaves a step-daughter, Alicia Lind; a step-son, Dennis Beeler; a step-grandson, Travis Hinkle; two brothers, Tom (Darlene) of Ontario, Oregon and Ben (Mardy) Stenkamp of Boise, Idaho; a sister, Teresa (John) Gallagher of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and numerous nephews, nieces and special friends Randy and Sue Welch Of Skandia Michigan. Fred enjoyed their friendship and support for many years

Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Felt-Beeler-Montgomery of Astoria, Portland, Burns and Bend Oregon, and Skandia, Michigan; and a brother, John of Bend, Oregon.

Honoring Dr. Stenkamp’s request, no services will be held.

The Swanson Lundquist Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at swansonlundquistfuneral home.com