Joseph Dean Fehrenkamp

Joseph was born on March 5, 1932 in Shiner Texas to Victor Otto and Heila (nee Krueger) Fehrenkamp descendants of German immigrants. His ancestors settled in the Republic of Texas prior to its admittance to statehood in the United States. Since he was a descendent of the Republic of Texas he was eligible to join the Sons of the Republic.

He grew up in the town of Moulton Texas. His grandfather was a founding member of the town owning the FT Fehrenkamp and Sons Lumber Company. He graduated from Sam and Will Moore High School. There he excelled in academics, sports and student government. He was elected class president and was the class valedictorian. It was also there he started dating his future wife Armetta. He made many lifelong friends and until recently was instrumental in planning class reunions.

Joseph continued his education at Texas A & M University in College Station Texas where he received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration. One month after his college graduation in 1954 he was commissioned as an officer in the USAF to fulfill his childhood dreams of flying. While in the USAF he was a navigator on B-47 and KC135 airplanes. During this period of time he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command. This was the Air Force Command responsible for the nation’s nuclear-armed bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles during the Cold War.

During his military career he traveled extensively throughout the world. While assigned to Travis AFB in northern California he was transferred to the Republic of Taiwan. While there he was responsible for planning bombing missions during the Vietnam War. He also earned an MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco at this time. In 1971 he was transferred to his last assignment at March AFB where he was assigned to the Inspector General Team. He retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

He then began a second career as Chief, Program Management at the California Department of Transportation. While at Caltrans he befriended and mentored many of his colleagues. He enjoyed his 40 plus years at Caltrans and retired at age 90. Upon his retirement he did research on his family heritage. He discovered he had an ancestor, Johann Cladius Delassaux who was a royal architect and builder of castles along the Rhine River in Germany.

Upon his retirement he remained active gardening and reading. He also enjoyed watching sporting events including his beloved Texas A & M football games. He also enjoyed his weekly lunch at the Crab Cooker Restaurant.

Joseph will be missed by all who knew him. He was known as a kind and generous man. He is survived by his wife of 70 years Armetta his daughters Kendra Hayden (Chris Hayden) Lynda Fehrenkamp and Lori Fehrenkamp and granddaughter Kerry Hayden and his beloved cat, Miss Amalie and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers Gordon Fehrenkamp and Victor Otto Fehrenkamp Jr. and sisters Coleen Namendorf and Susie Scherlen.

For an extraordinary 93 years, Joseph lived a life of optimism and joy. He loved his family, faith and his country. Services will be held on September 16, 2025 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Riverside CA. Burial will be held on September 17, 2025 at Riverside National Cemetery.