Walter George “Blub” Kampas Jr.
Walter George “Blub” Kampas Jr. left us on Sunday after 86 years as a native Pittsburgher.
Born Sept. 26, 1931, Walter was the third child of Walter and Anna Kampas.
After learning to drive trucks at the age of 12 and graduating from West View High School, Walter joined his father's refrigerated delivery business delivering meat to grocery stores throughout the Pittsburgh area.
As a young man, Walter joined the U.S. Army and served his country in the Korean War, where he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Good Conduct Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.
After receiving an honorable discharge from military service, Walter rejoined his father's trucking business.
Soon after returning to civilian life, Walter met his wife and lifelong partner of 61 years, Joanne Altemus. Walter and Joanne married June 15, 1957, and raised three sons, all of whom now live in the Pittsburgh area with their families, Walter III and his wife, Lil, with grandsons, Michael and Alex; Ronald and his wife, Stephanie, with granddaughters, Anna, Makayla and Julia; and David and his wife, Bonnie, with grandchildren, Amelia and Noah.
In the early 1970s, Walter founded a new trucking business, Butler Refrigerated Delivery, with his longtime friend and business partner, Larry Galcik. After many years of hard work, success and growth, Walter and Larry sold their business in the mid-1980s.
Following the successful conclusion of their trucking business, Walter and Larry collaborated on other ventures including real estate management and a retail business.
Walter and Joanne enjoyed a lengthy and comfortable retirement that included travel and dining internationally, as well as visiting and entertaining their many friends in their summer and winter hometowns of Zelienople and Naples, Fla.
Walter was active in various civic groups and organizations at times throughout his life including 60-year membership in the Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 716.
To his countless friends and acquaintances, Walter is known as a fiercely loyal friend and a man of unfailing honor and integrity — while keeping a deep sense of humility and an insightful sense of humor.
Walter is known to his family as a dedicated, honorable and loving husband, father and grandfather.
He will be missed by all.
Walter was predeceased by his parents; and his sister, Matilda.
He is survived by his wife, three sons, seven grandchildren and his sister, Anna May “Sissy” Charles.
KAMPAS — A memorial service for Walter George “Blub” Kampas Jr., who died Sunday, July 15, 2018, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 28, 2018, at St. Peter's Reformed Church, 320 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople, followed by a celebration of life luncheon for family and friends.In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 810 River Ave., Suite 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, online: www.CFF.org, or to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 501 Martindale St., Suite 670, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, online: www.jdrf.org/westernpa.Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Boylan Funeral Home, Zelienople.Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.
