Fred W. Kampmier III of Sandy Hook, 97, died on March 12 at home. He was born January 16, 1925, to Ethel and Fred Kampmier in Basking Ridge, N.J.

Called “Sonny” by his parents, he hunted and trapped the hamlet’s fields and streams.

During the Great Depression saltines and butter may be a meal; there is a noted evening when surrounding the small kitchen table was his mother and father, his sister Alvina, and himself to share one can of sardines for dinner.

He graduated from the Basking Ridge School in 1938, and then Bernards High School, Class of 1942.

In March 1945, the US Army made an advancement that finally moved the Allies into Germany; with the 99th “Checkerboard” Division, Item Company, or I Company, of the 394 Regiment, Sonny crossed the Ludendorff Bridge/Bridge at Remagen before it collapsed.

In Camp Lucky Strike in LéHâvre France, soldiers were expecting to head to the Pacific Theatre and the war with Japan. With the bombing of Japan, the war ended and the ocean liner ride for Sonny and others was instead their ride home.

Having grown up in a house where his father volunteered as a firefighter in Basking Ridge Fire Company No 1, Sonny as a teenager helped with the fire company’s annual August Carnival, and also helped at fires. In 1947 he formally joined Basking Ridge Fire Company No 1.

Fred responded to first aid calls and fires, and at times served as the company’s Treasurer, Vice President, President, Captain, Assistant Chief, and Chief.

He met his future wife in 1947 sledding on a local hill, and they were married on June 17, 1948.

He served for many years as president of Basking Ridge Historical Society, and contributed to the New Jersey League of Historical Societies. His interest in early American trades and tools also led to joining The Early American Industries Association.

Having worked for different companies, including Underwood Typewriter, Ballantine & Sons Brewery, and Chesebrough-Ponds, he relocated to Sandy Hook in 1973, when Chesebrough moved to Connecticut during a time that many companies were leaving NYC.

He was nestled in an area that nurtured his interests of antiquities and flea markets. For more than a decade he led Newtown Historical Society with the same enthusiasm he had shown his commitment previously.

It was in his environment of unique early American culture, trades, and appreciation for local history that he lived until his passing.

Fred is survived by his son, Craig Kampmier, of Sandy Hook; a daughter, Jill Kampmier, of Danbury; granddaughter Tinsely Kampmier-Williamson (Dominic), Barrington, R.I.; great-grandson Jack Williamson, Barrington, R.I.; great-granddaughter Hadleigh Williamson, Barrington, R.I.; nephew Keith Muldowney (Lauren), of New Jersey; nephew Ron Muldowney (Barbara), also of New Jersey; and a niece, Susanne Johnston Shaughnessy, of Pennsylvania.

A graveside service with military honors was conducted on Saturday, March 18, with family members and presence of Basking Ridge Fire Company No 1 and EMS.