Don Dampf

Houston, Texas

Donald P. Dampf, 92, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 24, 2019. Don was born in Jefferson City, Missouri to Philip and Louise Dampf.

A member of “The Greatest Generation”, Don graduated from St. Peter’s High School in Jefferson City, and then enlisted in the United States Navy during the latter stages of World War II. He was on active duty and in transit to the Philippines in August 1945 when the atomic bombs were dropped and Japan announced their surrender, although some combat continued. Upon arrival to the Philippines, Don initially worked at the shipyard in Tacloban repairing Patrol Torpedo boats, Mechanized Landing Crafts, and Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel. Following 6 months at Tacloban, he was assigned to a Sub Chaser and then to a Patrol Craft in the South Pacific, with responsibility to keep them running. Don returned home in 1946 aboard the USS Randolph, and was honorably discharged from military service.

Following his military service, Don enrolled at the University of Missouri – Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology), where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity, Tau Beta Pi Honor Society, and graduated with honors, earning a degree in Petroleum Engineering. His career spanned 40+ years. He started with Dowell, then worked for 30 years and retired from Tenneco, Inc., and then concluded his career with jobs at Guardian Oil Company, American Completion and Development Corp., and then as an independent consultant. Don worked in all phases of oil and gas exploration and production operations, including drilling, completion, facilities construction, and well workovers. He progressed to senior management positions in both domestic and overseas locations.

In 1964 Don married Mildred “Millie” Eggen of Jefferson City, and together they lived in Lafayette, Louisiana, Houston, The Netherlands, and then ultimately settled in Houston in 1972 where together they raised their children Kristin and Eric.

Don was an avid golfer and enjoyed the game and camaraderie well into his 80s. Although golf is a difficult game, Don’s flashes of brilliance yielded three holes-in-one. After retirement from golf, Don enjoyed numerous fishing expeditions with his devoted friend Charlie Roxburgh.

As his health and mobility gradually declined these past years, his daughter Kristin, together with the skilled doctors and team of caregivers at MD Anderson, ensured all his needs were met and that he could continue living life to the fullest. Their impact and selfless dedication to Don’s well-being cannot be underestimated. Kristin and Eric would also like to recognize their cousins Sue Danaher, Kathy Graham, and Tom and Maggie Eggen for the help and support they provided at their father’s bedside during his final days and hours.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 48 years, Millie Dampf; and his brothers Philip and Roy Dampf. He is survived by his daughter Kristin Dampf; his son Eric Dampf, his wife Tracey, and their children, Andrew, Matthew and Hannah; his sister-in-law Marjorie Dampf; and his brother-in-law Ralph Eggen. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at 10:30 AM at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road, Houston, Texas 77056. Visitation will start at the church at 9:00 AM. The Mass will be followed by a reception at the church’s Parish Life Center, and then entombment at the Holy Cross Cemetery, 3502 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77009.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Don’s memory to the Donald P. Dampf Rolla Rising Scholarship at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, 107 Castleman Hall, 400 West 10th Street, Rolla, Missouri 65409-0650; or to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Development Office, Unit 705, P.O. Box 30149, Houston, Texas 77230-1439 to be used in the MDS Moon Shot Program.