KEN KLEIKAMP passed away at home on December 17, 2023 in Eloy, AZ at the age of 78. He was born in Algoma, Wisconsin on September 30, 1945. His parents, Henry “Hank” Kleikamp and Delia (Monfils) Kleikamp raised seven children in Wilson, a small farming community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. After graduating from Powers-Spalding High School in 1963, Ken joined the U. S. Army and served in Viet Nam constructing communication lines. Upon returning home, Ken hired on with Michigan Bell, embarking on a successful 30-year career with the telephone company. He trained as an air conditioning and heating systems expert and eventually graduated with honors from the Building Owners and Managers Institute. His work ethic, technical skills, logical problem solving, customer service and dedication impressed co-workers, managers and supervisors. Ken received several merit awards and certificates throughout his three decades of employment.

As a nine-year-old boy, Ken had a serious case of rheumatic fever which lasted a long time and debilitated him for quite some time. The family doctor told him and his folks that he’d never work at anything physical and that he’d not likely live past 40 or 45. Obviously, Ken proved that physician wrong since his entire career was quite active as were most of his leisure pursuits.

An early first marriage to Eileen Osmun ended in divorce; the judge granted Ken full parental custody of his two young daughters Jeannette and Tina. They decided to move to sunny Tucson, Arizona when Ken’s transfer to Mountain Bell was accepted. Not long after, Ken met Joyce Fuller and thus began what became a 40-year marriage.

Joyce had been a Baha’i since high school, so Ken learned about the beliefs and tenets of the Baha’i Faith and chose to be a Baha’i as well, about two years after they married.

Ken’s interests and hobbies included film photography, old British sports cars, volunteering at the Arizona School for the Deaf and the Blind (where Joyce taught), staffing the Baha’i Faith Information Center in Tucson and pitching in whenever neighbors and friends needed a hand. He always strove to live frugally, owe nothing and be a generous person.

Ken volunteered for many years at the former Nogales Crippled Children’s Clinic, now St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic housed in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Nogales, Arizona. His photographs documented monthly progress for the doctors and therapists back in the days when there were no computers or smart phones. He was also a life member of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). Other organizations included the Tucson British Car Register, the Desert Lens Camera Club, and Point In Time homeless census. For many summers, he enjoyed vacationing in the U. P. where he visited family and went fishing. Ray’s Resort in Rapid River was like a second home.

In 2000, Ken and Joyce moved next door to the Desert Rose Baha’i Institute in Eloy, Arizona where Ken provided extensive service with the grounds and building maintenance on the campus and helping out where needed. Also in the city of Eloy, Ken volunteered with CAHRA, the local community food bank and the homeless persons assistance programs. Indeed, during his final days he made sure to organize his clothing to donate to this social service organization. His entire life was geared towards being helpful, friendly and fair-minded. He was loved, respected and admired by so many whose paths he crossed.

In August 2023 Ken was diagnosed with cancer and he endured a series of surgeries, procedures, hospitalizations, chemo and other medical interventions which were generally unsuccessful and entirely miserable. Rather than slog through anymore, Ken asked to become a hospice patient and receive in-home services provided by Hospice Compassus. This decision gave Ken comfort and peace of mind since the cancer prognosis was palliative in nature anyway.

Ken was predeceased by his mother Delia (Monfils) Kleikamp. He is survived by his wife Joyce Fuller Kleikamp; his 103 year old father Hank Kleikamp; his six siblings, Marie Kudej, Carol Boiteau, Clara Adams, Francis Kleikamp, Vern Kleikamp and Julie Gerou; his daughters Jeannette Lane and Tina Gergely and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

In November, while in the ICU, he had the heartwarming pleasure to have his two daughters visit him for several days. During their visit, Ken presented them each with a pendant with the inscription: I love you for the little girl you were, for the woman you’ve become, for the daughter you’ll always be.