Sue Carol Bechtel Kampas departed from this earth on November 28, 2019, after a brief illness. Sue was born to Reuben and Carolyn Bechtel in Des Moines, Iowa, on August 28, 1934. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1952. After high school, she attended Drake University for one year where she met her future husband, Peter George Kampas. They were married on September 2, 1953. To support the family while Pete worked to finish his degree, Sue worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone. After Pete graduated in 1954, they moved to Springfield, Ohio, and started their family on May 3, 1955, when Connie Sue was born followed by the birth of their first son, George Peter, on October 25, 1957. While caring for her young children, Sue worked at Wittenberg University and attended classes part time. She also worked as a substitute teacher in the Springfield area until their third child, Carolyn Ann, was born on September 14, 1964. With the birth of Christopher Peter on November 14, 1966, their family was complete.
In 1965, the family relocated to Bellefontaine, Ohio, where Pete had a go in the restaurant business. Finally, in 1967, Pete took a job with Rockwell International in Richardson, Texas, and the family relocated for the last time. After settling in Plano, Texas, and while tending to four young children, Sue went back to college. Seventeen years after she started college, Sue received her Bachelor of Science degree at Texas Women’s University. She continued her education at the University of Texas at Dallas where she received a Master’s degree in Education. After graduation, she taught elementary and middle school in the Plano Independent School District for 23 years; and after retirement, she continued as a substitute teacher. After several years of substituting, Sue had an accident on the job that forced her into full retirement.
Sue was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Peter; her son-in-law, Gordon Seelhorst; her parents, Carolyn and Reuben Bechtel; a brother, Christopher; and her father-in-law, George Kampas. She was a devout member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church where she taught Sunday School for seven years and was a member of Philoptochos. She was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority, Past President of Plano Retired Teachers, a member of Texas Retired Teachers, and a member of Daughters of the American Revolution for 40 years.
Sue is survived by her four children, Connie Seelhorst, George Kampas and his wife Ladonna, Carolyn Sinor and her husband Timothy, Christopher Kampas and his wife Jennifer. She was a loving grandmother to Kallan, Courtney, Peyton, Kelsey, Delaney, Kyle, Nathan, and Emily as well as to three great-grandchildren: Clark, Kade, and Emma. She was truly devoted to family, friends, and the students she taught. Sue will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Services will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at 10 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas, Texas. Burial will immediately follow at Restland Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at Greek Isles Restaurant in Plano, Texas.
Donations may be made to the Plano ISD Education Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank Faith Presbyterian Hospice for taking such great care of our mother and grandmother.
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