Obituaries
Captain Kurt F. Dorenkamp, 93
October 19, 2017
Captain Kurt F. Dorenkamp, U.S. Navy (Ret), 93, passed away on October 19, 2017, at The Glen at Willow Valley, Lancaster, PA. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Leo and Wilhelmina (Bonas) Dorenkamp. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 64 years, Mary E. (Doyle) Dorenkamp. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Pat Dorenkamp Reese, wife of Tim, and Peggy Dorenkamp Hebert, wife of Louis, and his son, Joseph Dorenkamp. Also surviving are Grandsons Jason Reese, LT Chris Reese USN, Marc Hebert, Jack Hebert, Kurt M. Dorenkamp and Evan Dorenkamp; and Granddaughters Sara Reese, Jennifer Dorenkamp, Olivia Dorenkamp and Skylar Dorenkamp. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his daughter, Kathleen Dorenkamp; his son, Frank Dorenkamp; his Granddaughter, Alysa Reese; and his Grandson, Jeffrey Dorenkamp.
Kurt was inducted into the U.S. Navy on February 14, 1943. He achieved the rating of Motor Machinist Mate 2nd class and then successfully competed for a Secretary of the Navy Fleet appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. After graduating from the Academy in 1949 he served on the submarines USS Tusk (SS426), USS Sarda (SS488), USS Paddle (US263) and USS Bugara (SS331) and was the Commanding Officer of the USS Volador (SS490). Subsequently he was Commander Submarine Division 31. Two other interesting assignments were Operations and Plans Officer on the Staff of Commander Submarine Flotilla Eight in Naples, Italy, where they tried to keep the submerged U.S. and soviet submarines from running into each other. The other was a six and a half year tour as a special projects manager on the staff of the National Underwater Reconnaissance Office, home of the unmentionables.
Captain Dorenkamp’s major awards were the Legion of Merit, two Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. After spending 33 ½ years in the Navy, Captain Dorenkamp spent another 33 ½ years in Navy RDT&E before retiring at the age of 85.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Friday, November 24, 2017, beginning at 11:00 AM at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. Private interment with Military Honors at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Kurt’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
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Condolences to the Family
November 14, 2017
I am proud to have served under Capt. Dorenkamp as his yeoman on Volador. He was a greal leader and I will miss him.
Joe Lestage
November 01, 2017
Dear Mary, I was so sorry to hear of Kurt’s death. He was best man for my
second marriage in Naples and usher for my first wedding at Annapolis. I admired
him greatly.
Joann and I send our condolences to you and your nice family.
Sincerely Al
LCDR Allan F. Bacon USN (Ret)
October 30, 2017
Hi Mary, Jim here in St. Petersburg Florida. I well remember meeting Kurt and his gently humorous graciousness because I was tongue-tied in his presence; having heard about him and well knowing to whom I was speaking…or endeavoring to 🙂 As your friend Mark has stated here Kurt was truly a man of another time. Meeting him was seeing the strength and the calm determination that marked the very best. He was a man who walked with kings but kept the common touch. A tough old salt ,an indomitable commander, a loving husband and great dad and grandpa! I am a better soul for having known him. God bless your family always. James W. Spruill
October 29, 2017
Dear Mary –
Kurt was not a man of this era.
And for that I hold him in the highest regard.
Understated and reserved instead of boisterous and arrogant, circumspect instead of impulsive, and interested more in substance than in style and perception – he defines to me what it means to be a man.
A man of uncommon wit and wisdom, when he spoke – one did well to listen.
No, Kurt was a throwback to a different time and ethos. A time when honor and dignity was expected. A time when honesty, integrity, and character really counted for something.
His passing was a loss to us all.
It was my great privilege to have known him.
May you know love and peace,
Mark Bayliss
October 26, 2017
Dear Mary,
We are so sad to hear of Kurt’s passing. What a wonderful friend he had been to me. It was an honor and priviledge to have both of you in our lives. Our sincerest condolences to you and the family. May the many, many woderful memories you have of your time together sustain you in the days ahead.
Love, Hugh and Shelby Fillingane
October 25, 2017
Mary and the Dorenkamp family, I had the privilege of serving with Captain Dorenkamp as one of his unmentionables. He was a great leader and mentor. During challenging times his professionalism and sense of humor would make any task achievable. He was an outstanding leader, shipmate and friend.
D.M. Donovan, EMCM(SS), U.S. Navy (ret.)
October 25, 2017
Peggy,
What a remarkable life… And 64 years of marriage… Amazing…Truly the greatest generation…
You and your family have much to be proud of…
Mike & Ann Koch
October 25, 2017
Peggy, very sorry to hear of your father’s passing. After reading his most impressive obituary he obviously lived a full and patriotic life. I am sure you are very proud of him. All the best from Naples, Italy where your father also served, Mark Chester
October 23, 2017
Mary and the Dorenkamp family,
All of us who served with Captain Dorenkamp respected his professionalism, common sense approach to problem solving and wonderful wit. He was an exceptional shipmate, leader and friend. I was so very fortunate to serve with him during the seventies, prior to his retirement from the Navy. He passed on a wealth of knowledge and was a wonderful mentor. He will be missed by all his Navy shipmates!
Randy McWillliams, Captain, U.S. Navy (ret.)
- Services
- Friday, November 24, 2017
- 11:00 AM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 3110 Lititz Pike
- Lititz, PA 17543
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