Dennis David Camp, PhD

Dennis David Camp, PhD, 73, of Springfield, passed away October 3, 2011. He was born December 14, 1937, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Robert Thurston and Marjorie Ernell Hoxie Camp. On April 24, 1999, he married Barbara Ann Byram Milman. He was previously married to Trula Vaughn, who preceded him in death, and to Mary Dozeman, who survives. Dr. Camp was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sally Camp Start. Dr. Camp is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughter Christina (Michael) Ryan of Springfield; son Douglas (Sara) Camp of Riverton; grandchildren William (Jessica) Ryan, Bradley Ryan, Daniel Camp, Nicole Camp, and Joseph Wiktorek; stepchildren Kelsey (Russ Williams) Milman of Morton, and John (Emily) Milman of Evanston, and four step-grandchildren. Dr. Camp attained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature from Hope College in Michigan; Master of Arts Degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey; Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin Madison. He was an English Professor at Sangamon State University and University of Illinois Springfield from 1970-1993. He was a member of the founding faculty of SSU/UIS and was Professor Emeritus. Dr. Camp was Dean of the Arts and Sciences Cluster from 1982-1985. From 2009-2011, he was the President of the Vachel Lindsay Association. A Vachel Lindsay scholar, Dr. Camp was in the process of composing a biography of the Springfield poet. He had previously edited Lindsay�s poetry, prose, and drawings in four volumes. Dr. Camp also enjoyed golf and bicycling. A celebration of Dr. Camp�s life will be held Thursday, November 3, at 2pm in Brookens Auditorium on the campus of University of Illinois Springfield, One University Plaza, Springfield, IL. Reception following the services will be held at the Public Affairs Restaurant on the UIS Campus. Memorial contributions may be made for a park bench to be placed along the Interurban Bike Trail between Chatham and Springfield. Contributions may be sent to Marine Bank, 470 North Main Plaza, Chatham, IL, 62629 - in care of the David Camp Park Bench Memorial Fund. Cremation rites were accorded by Cremation Services of Central Illinois, Chatham