Roger J. Kamphaus, age 92, of Quincy, died on March 2, 2021 in his home. He was born on August 2, 1928 in Quincy, the son of Sylvester and Gertrude (Dieker) Kamphaus. Roger married Anna LaForce, on October 14, 1950 in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Quincy. The couple celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary in 2020. Anna preceded Roger in death two months ago on December 31, 2020.

Roger served his country in the Air Force during the Korean War, from August 29, 1951 – December 18, 1953. While in the Air Force he was a welding instructor.

Roger owned and operated the Mid West Dairy in Quincy, with his two brothers, Bill and Melvin. Roger was committed to delivering milk to the customers on his residential milk route without fail and to always greet his customers with a smile and a friendly word.

After selling the Mid West Dairy, Roger went at work at Prairie Farms Dairy as a commercial route driver. This commercial route took Roger to rural areas of Missouri where he often encountered severe winter weather which meant extended work hours in-order to ensure that all of his grocery store and Fast Stop customers received their daily delivery of milk and other dairy products without fail.

After the dairy business, Roger obtained his Real Estate License and was employed by Zanger and Associates. Roger built relationships with his clients based on his integrity and honesty.

Roger finished his career by working for the Quincy School Bus System, driving Bus # 40 for over twenty years. The parents of the children in Roger’s care quickly recognized Roger as the perfect fit for protecting and overseeing their child’s wellbeing and safety. Roger was a valued and trusted member of the School Bus Drivers’ Union and he was elected to the School Bus Drivers’ Union Board to assist with protecting the benefits and rights of his fellow drivers. He received a plaque for being the best school bus driver in the city of Quincy.

After retiring, Roger turned his interests to antiquing and acquiring milk bottles from Mid West Dairy and other local Quincy dairies. Roger and Anna and their children routinely went on weekend antiquing adventures throughout the Tri-county area. Roger had the pleasure of showing his milk bottles to extended family and friends who were thrilled to have the opportunity to purchase these valuable and memorable milk bottles.

Roger always supported his wife, Anna, with her volunteering activities. In 1993 the National Council of Catholic Women’s Convention held in Quincy. He helped by filling bottles of flood water and made sandbags for table decorations and drove school buses of women attending the convention to the Calvary Cemetery to visit the Jesus tree.

Roger supported and demonstrated his Catholic faith by serving as a Eucharistic Minister and a Lector at St. Boniface Catholic Church. Roger also gladly delivered Holy communion to the shut-ins of the parish. Roger’s devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was an integral part of his Catholic faith and he contributed to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Auto League for 60 plus years. Roger was also a longtime member of the Quincy American Legion Post #37, the Quincy Moose Lodge #1925, an auxiliary member of the Legion of Mary and a devout supported of EWTN.

Roger relentlessly showed the depth of his love to his wife, Anna, and to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Roger always recognized and verbalized the special traits in each of them and complimented them for what they had accomplished.

Roger had a great sense of humor and always kept his family laughing. Roger was the biggest kid in the family and he always kept his wife, Anna, and his children entertained by delighting them all with bicycles, go carts and mini-bikes.

Roger and Anna were avid boat and river enthusiasts and they provided many treasured hours of family fun by boating riding (to include moonlight boat rides), water skiing and camping on the sandbar. Knowing that a family that plays together, stays together, Roger and Anna also purchased a river camp on East Shute where their family maintained their closeness by spending weekends and holidays at their river camp enjoying swimming, building bonfires, sled riding and raising Roger and Anna’s grandchildren.

Roger is survived by his children: Debra (Steve) Kamphaus of Hannibal, MO, Cheryl (Steve) Blentlinger of Ursa, Linda (Roger) Atkinson, Chesterfield, MO, Bruce (Sarah) Kamphaus of Quincy, Daniel (Toni) Kamphaus of Fowler, Greg (Ann) Kamphaus of Quincy and Roger E. (Maureen) Kamphaus.

Grandchildren: Jennifer, Catherine, Kristen, Michael, Heather, Ryan, Bryan, Andrew, Caleb, Lucas, Amy and Joseph; Great grandchildren: Ross, Tatiana, Elliana, Viviana, Darren, Tucker, Hunter, Journey, Kaden, Tom, Tim, Emily, Annabelle, Stevie and Delaina.
Two sisters, Barbara Frericks and Berniece Peters both of Quincy; sisters-in-law: Virginia Kamphaus of Quincy, Marleena Carson of FL, Ann Carson of IN, several nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, his brothers, Carl, Clarence, Richard, Melvin and Sylvester Kamphaus and sisters, Virginia Terwelp and Alvera Laaker.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 8, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church. Interment with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday evening from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. in St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church. All those attending the services are kindly asked to wear a face mask and observe social distancing guidelines. Memorials may be made to St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church or the Illinois Veterans’ Home.