COLUMBUS
Mr. Richard “Dick” Dean Hercamp, 84, of Columbus, passed away Monday, February 3, 2020 surrounded by his loving family at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. He was born in Seymour to the late Carl and Elsie (Rotert) Hercamp.
Funeral services will be conducted by Voss & Sons Funeral Service at St. John’s Lutheran Church White Creek on Monday, February 10 at 5:00 p.m. with Rev. Justin Whitmore officiating. Private family burial will follow at a later time.
Family and friends may call at St. John’s Lutheran White Creek Church on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until time of service.
Richard was baptized April 28, 1935 at Immanuel Lutheran church in Seymour. He was confirmed April 10, 1949 at Immanuel. He was a graduate of Cortland High School, class of 1953. On June 9, 1957, at White Creek Lutheran Church, he married Joan (Noblitt) Hercamp; she preceded him in death August 17, 2015. Richard was a member of White Creek Lutheran Church, serving in many capacities over the years, including chairman, school board, and coaching boys and girls basketball with the school. Mr. Hercamp served in the Army Indiana National Guard as a 2nd Lt. from Dec 57 to Aug 60. He served on several boards over the years, including Jackson County Board of Zoning, Quinco Board of Directors, Board of Control for Concordia Senior College, and Breakfast Optimist Club
Richard graduated with distinction from Purdue University in 1957 with a BS in Chemical Engineering, where he was a member of the chemical engineering honor fraternity and the National Honor Society. He received his Master’s in Engineering from Purdue in 1969. During his career at Cummins Engine Company, he received many awards and accolades, including: SAE Award, NARSA Award, and Technical Service Award. After retiring from Cummins in 1988, he continued his career as a consultant for Fleetguard, Arco Chemical of Newtown, PA, and Environmental Test Systems Chemicals of Elkhart, IN. During this time, he continued to receive many more awards, among those being: Forest McFarland Award – as Session Organizer for Powerplant Activity, Raymond Rudisill Award – for contributions to engine coolant technology, Julius Perr Innovation Award, and Who’s Who in America 1997. Richard also was a registered professional engineer in Indiana and a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, with 6 technical papers still in print. He also played a major role in developing patented technology for Diesel engine cooling systems
He was known for his generosity, his intelligence, and always helping others. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his son, Gregory L. (Cari) Hercamp; daughter, Tammy Hercamp; grandchildren, Justin McCrory, Jacob (Emily) Hercamp, Keith (Jessica) Hercamp; four great-grandchildren, Michaela McCrory, Jacob Ryan Hercamp, Ella Hercamp, Penelope Hercamp; sister, Marlis Kilgas.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents; wife; and daughter Kimberly K. Hercamp.
Memorials may be written to St. John’s Lutheran White Creek School, White Creek Lutheran Church or Trinity Lutheran High School, in care of Voss & Sons Funeral Service.
Online condolences may be left on the funeral home Website at www.vossfuneralservice.com
