We regret to share that Frederick Leonhard Kaempffer passed away June 21, 2023, in Vernon BC, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  He was 77 years old.  Fred was the son of Dr. Frederick Kaempffer and Gisela Kaempffer of Vancouver and brother to Lawrence.

Fred was a private and gentle person, the quintessential engineer.  He obtained his Masters degree in engineering from UBC and after travelling in Europe with Lynne, stayed to study technical German in Berlin before working for a large German firm, Vacuumschmelze near Frankfurt.  Upon returning to Canada, Fred was employed with BC Hydro for over 35 years in the Gas and Distribution Design Standards Divisions.

Fred approached every task with thoroughness and care and indefatigable energy.  He designed and built rock retaining walls, his home offices, renovated basements, installed bathrooms and kitchens in our several homes and all after a long day’s work which involved commuting to downtown Vancouver for many years.    He renovated and repaired the old ski cabin at Silver Star and summer cottages and boats at Kalamalka Lake endlessly.   Each project done to perfection and to code.

Fred’s love of the outdoors became apparent while spending summers at the family cottage in the Okanagan.  His Toyota Landcruiser took the family adventuring throughout BC.  Fred took up alpine skiing with Lynne at the family cabin at Silver Star and mountain biking with teenage son Tyson.   He and Tyson rode in the Sea to Sky marathon from Vancouver to Whistler.  Eventually Cross-Country skiing became Fred’s passion, and he approached this sport with the same thoroughness, racing in loppets and marathons throughout BC and monitoring himself and documenting outcomes.  He was passionate about his twice weekly ski trips to Cypress Mountain and loved to train and race at Sovereign Lake.  During the summer Fred could be seen on his rollerblades or bike riding along the inlet trail in Port Moody where he and Lynne eventually retired and where he enjoyed his motorboat, canoe and volunteer work at the Mossom Creek Hatchery.

Fred volunteered for many years as a Director and President with the Simon Fraser Society for Community Living.  He was a loving and patient father and husband.  Always kind, always calm and in his quiet moments he would slip downstairs and play his guitar or saxophone.
And when he got up in the morning, he would always put his socks on first.

Fred is survived by Lynne (Johnson) his partner of 53 years and their two sons, Tyson, (Nathaly) his grandsons Lucas, Owen and Theodore, all of Vernon and son Jonathan of Coquitlam.   He is also survived by his brother Lawrence (Valerie) and their children Alexandra (Emily) Nicholas (Sarah) Jost (Haley) and Elizabeth (Mike) and grand nieces and nephews Alida, Lyndon, Jack, Norah, Maya, Max and Heino.

The family wish to thank the staff at the Village Langley and The Hamlets of Vernon for supporting Fred through the last few years of his life.  Arrangements have been made by Pleasant Valley Funeral Home.  A Celebration of Life will be held later this summer in Vernon.

In honour of Fred, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of BC or the Developmental Disabilities Association of BC.