Stephen B. Van Campen
Died: Jun 7, 2013

Stephen B. Van Campen, of Hackettstown, NJ, loving father and long-time New Jersey resident and civic leader, passed away on June 7, 2013 in Hackettstown.  He was born in East Stroudsburg, PA to the late Bernard Van Campen and the former Marion Van Why.

 

Stephen achieved much in his 71 years.  He was a 1959 graduate of East Stroudsburg High School and earned a Bachelors Degree in Science and Pre-Veterinary Medicine from Penn State University. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.  His early career experience included positions with Joseph E. Seagrams & Sons, RCA/Hertz Corp. and Revlon International before joining New York City-based J.B. Gilbert & Associates in 1974, a well-known and respected Management Consulting & Executive Search firm. He eventually became President of Gilbert & Van Campen International.  For nearly 20 years, Stephen traveled millions of miles around the world in search of key executives for Fortune 100 companies.  He also owned and operated the Lillagaard Hotel, a historic bed and breakfast on the New Jersey coast, for several years. In his retirement, Stephen served in the local private security industry and as a private investigator. 

 

In addition to a long and successful professional career, Stephen honorably served his community in a variety of civic roles. These included nominations by former Governor Thomas Kean and appointments by Congresswoman Marge Roukema as the Chairman/Vice Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Commission to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, where he fought unwaveringly to maintain and preserve the historic legacy and unparalleled beauty of one of America’s most visited National Parks.   He served as a member of the New Jersey Governor’s Commission on International Trade, participating in one of the first International Trade Expo’s in the former Soviet Union and as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Warren County Community College and on the Tri-County George Washington Council, Boy Scouts of America. 

 

In June 1992 Stephen was awarded the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizens Award.  In May 1995 the National Ethnic Council of Organizations Foundation honored Stephen’s long-time community service and legacy as a descendant of one of New Jersey’s original Dutch immigrant families, who arrived in 1652, by awarding him the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

 

Stephen is survived by his son Brendon, daughters Ragan Michele, Meghan, Taylor and Hannah and one sister, Elsie Spencer.  He has six grandchildren; Rieley, Logan, Connor, Tessa, Landon, and Norah. He was predeceased by sister Jeanne Tonkay.   He is remembered by former spouses Eugenia Johnson, Karen Jamison and Ellen Banks. 

 

Dad, we will miss you but will always cherish the memories we made.

 

A Memorial Visitation will be held in Stephen’s honor on Tuesday, 6-11-13 from 4 to 8pm at the Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High St., Hackettstown, N.J., 07840. Interment will be private.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Attn: Superintendant, Deleware Water Gap National Recreation Area, 1978 River Rd.,  Bushkill, Pa., 18324.  Online condolences may be sent to www.cochranfuneral.com

Condolences:

jonathan b berman
#12
March 19th, 2017 4:16 pm
a brother I have never known ,yet thinking of if we were to have met ,me being a baby and you were 28 at the time,,who knew what might have been... when I was born to our Father in 1968.He never told you Jeanne ,and Els.thinking of you...maybe one day we'll meet..
Hannah Van Campen
#11
April 4th, 2014 9:44 am
Thinking of you, Dad. I miss you more than anyone will ever know.
Fred J. Aun
#10
September 11th, 2013 12:45 pm
I grew up "across the river" from Steve's stomping grounds and, based on some of the comments I see here, we shared an idyllic Delaware River Valley childhood. I got to know Steve while doing my job as a reporter for The Star-Ledger. We shared a passion, a hope that somehow the government would preserve the many historic buildings in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. I always enjoyed interviewing Steve. I am saddened to hear about his passing. My condolences to his family.
Dan (Skip) Van Campen
#9
June 20th, 2013 12:55 pm
It was shocking to hear that Steve had made the transition so suddenly. I will miss him as our history as cousins goes back to childhood, largely in Bushkill, Pennsylvania. We hunted squirrels together; two boys in the woods with 12 gauge shotguns! Daunting to think about it now. Time and distance took their toll through our corporate years living on opposite coasts, yet I remember vividly picking up the phone frequently to hear: "How whar yah." On trips across the country I met some members of his extended families and always was warmly welcomed. His wit and ability to recall jokes was legendary, telling them with a twinkle in his eye. In the late 80's he asked me to join his consulting firm and for a brief time I worked with him in New York. It came too late in our careers and did not work out but I shall always remember our hopes and dreams and of his generosity in this moment in time to join our talents in a family enterprise. But the memory that will indelibly remain will be those lazy summer days of hiking Prickly Pear in Bushkill with our cousins, hunting, and numerous grownup adventures from Hoboken to Los Angeles. To his children and former families I grieve with you. The race is over Steve my friend; rest in peace.
John and Carol Ford
#8
June 18th, 2013 7:35 pm
We were deeply saddened to learn recently of Steve's passing. When we were young cousins and met often at our grandparent's farm in Bushkill for family gatherings and vacations, my brother David and I, Steve, and our other cousins explored the woods and fields around the farm together, played in the brook constructing dams and catching trout, swam and fished in the Delaware, and made a little mischief at times. Those were the best of times and we certainly bonded during those adventures! Over the years as we have gone our separate ways in different parts of the country, we largely lost touch except for one visit with he, Ellen, and Hannah in Hackettstown when my mother was still living. I regret that we weren't able to spend more time together later in life and our thoughts and prayers go out to all his family in this difficult time.
Dean&Barb Faulkinberry
#7
June 11th, 2013 4:52 pm
Dear Michele, Your father seemed to have a good life while he while he was here on earth. He's in heaven now! Our light, love and prayers go out to you! Love & Light, Dean, Barb and The Critters
MajGen.A.J.SF-5,MacSog,USMC
#6
June 11th, 2013 2:20 pm
Steve, I'll miss you beyond imagination, Your wisdom instilled in me a new belief that their was hope in the future of our youth that I had serious doubts about would be able to continue the ongoing struggle this nation has endured since they first stepped on this continent, You were able to change my views that many have tried unsuccessfully to alter, For this alone I will always be in you debt. But most of all your unconditional friendship, that had know bounds. I'll miss our daily talks and adventures, I'll always remember the importance you placed on family values, and how every talk we had started with those. Thiers so much more I want to say to you, but I believe I covered allot of what I needed to say in my prays for you and your journey. I know you'll always remember the words I'd leave you with when we'd say goodnight "timidus mori miliens, sed unus vir fortis."
Dear Michele,
#5
June 11th, 2013 7:09 am
My sincere sympathy to you and your family. Thoughts and prayers are sent your way during this sad time. Love, Barb G
Pam Wagner
#4
June 10th, 2013 7:43 pm
To Our Dearest Hannah, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. May your Dad's rainbow always shine above you. Our love and prayers are with you as you try to deal with this very difficult time. You and your family will be forever in our hearts. We Love You
Randy Turner
#3
June 10th, 2013 1:57 pm
Deepest sympathy to Steve's family. I have many memories of working with Steve and others on the CAC at Delaware Water Gap NRA (DEWA) for more than 9 years. I used to see him from time to time in Hackettstown after I moved back to New Jersey in 2005. His passion for preserving the many cultural resources was admirable. Rest in peace.
The Zarzaca Family
#2
June 10th, 2013 8:54 am
Brendon, Please accept my sincere condolences to you and your entire family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you that you may find peace during this diffucult time. Tony Z & Family
Robert L. Williams
#1
June 10th, 2013 7:10 am
Steve will dearly be missed by those who knew him. I will cherish the days we spent while serving on the Citizens Advisory Commission and our trying to make a difference to save the few remaining historic homes that survive within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Steve was indeed a good man with a passion to preserve his family's legacy. I will surely miss his guidance and counsel on the difficult and arduous road ahead in attempting to save what remains in this Park. Rest in eternal peace my good friend!
*
* - Required fields   NOTE: your comment will be reviewed by our staff and posted when approved. -->