Donald William Riverkamp

Donald W. Riverkamp, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 at Mercy House, Georgetown, TX.  Born January 5th, 1940 at Horton Hospital, Middletown, NY, to the late William and Eleanor (Gutowski) Riverkamp.  

When Don’s big personality entered the room, you saw it in his smile, heard it in his laugh and  felt it in the presence of his robust voice.  He was affectionately known to his grandchildren (and their friends) as “Big Papa”; other nicknames throughout his lifetime included “Donny”, “River”, “Big Don” and “Buddha.”

Don lived in New Hampton, NY from 1940 until 1945 when he moved to Murray Avenue, Goshen, NY.  He graduated from Goshen Central High School (GHS) in 1958 where he excelled in sports and was voted “Class Flirt”.  After high school, he attended Orange County Community College (OCCC) where he played soccer (1959 and 1960 National Jr. College Champions) and basketball. Don enlisted in the USAF (United States Air Force) and during his years of service (1960-1968), he was stationed at Lackland AFB (TX), Amarillo AFB (TX), Keflavik AFB (Iceland), Davis-Monthan AFB (AZ), March AFB (CA), and Hof Air Station (Germany).

Don married Gloria Ann Keyes (GHS Class of 1961) and despite moving on, they remained friends and enjoyed the activities and milestones of their three children: Dale Riverkamp (Jimi Lee) of Harwood, TX, Debbie Johnson (Dave) of Georgetown, TX, and Lisa Wickline of Georgetown, TX and their grandchildren: Matthew Riverkamp, Danielle Riverkamp, Eric Johnson (Houston, TX), Emily Johnson (Brooklyn, NY), Amanda Johnson (Boston, MA), Ashley Wickline (Georgetown, TX), and Hailey Wickline (Georgetown, TX).

In addition, Don’s memory will be cherished by his sister, Gail Walker (Burnt Hills, NY), extended family, including many nieces and nephews, and an abundance of friends and colleagues he gained through his many life adventures. 

After an Honorable Discharge in 1968, Don went to work for IBM in Fishkill, NY; then Lexington, KY and ultimately, Austin, TX.  His IBM career started as a Computer Operator, then Systems Analyst with his final position as Computer Room Manager; all spanning his 27 years of dedicated service.

Honored for his 30 years of service with TASO (Texas Association of Sports Officials), Don officiated high school and college basketball, high school volleyball and was Chief of Umpires for Pony Softball (two years).  He proudly coached several Town & Country Softball teams and coached the 1983 Palomino (17-18 year olds) team to a Texas State Championship.   True to being an avid Longhorn fan, Don ran the scoreboard at all home games for the University of Texas Lady Longhorn basketball games for several years!  He had the privilege of being the official scorer for the 1985 and 1987 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championships.  Hook ‘Em!  

In his later years, Don proudly served on the Board of Directors (President and later as, Secretary) for the Hof Reunion Association; a group of military men and women whom he served with the USAF at Hof Air Station in Hof, Germany.  Being instrumental in planning and participating in the reunions brought him great joy; the camaderie, relationships and memories filled his heart, gave him purpose and lifted his spirits.

Don’s passion for sports spanned a lifetime … playing in his youth and through his high school years (baseball, basketball, football), college (baseball and soccer), USAF (bowling, baseball/softball, basketball, football and volleyball) to sports officiating (basketball, softball, volleyball) and coaching (softball) and the ever-present avid sports fan (all sports, but his favorite teams included the Georgetown Eagles and UT Longhorns). He definitely had the best seat in the house to see the UT Softball team win its first National Championship!

There is no doubt that Don was well loved and he never met a stranger.  His sports enthusiasm was exhibited early in life and he carried it forward to make it impactful in his coaching, officiating and support of his favorite teams! 

Don’s season here on Earth has ended, but his spirit will live on … in every game that is played, in every cheer that we hear and in every memory that we share and cherish.  Forever in our hearts, until we meet again Dad/Big Papa.

Don will return to Goshen’s St. John’s Cemetery for interment of ashes.  A Celebration of Life event will be forthcoming; details will be shared as they become available.

Should you choose to memoralize Don, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF) Donate in Memory of Donald W. Riverkamp.