Richard Merle Kamm Obituary

Richard Merle Kamm was faculty at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, IL. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Richard Merle Kamm.

School Role	Faculty
Date of Passing	Sep 07, 2021
About	Richard M. Kamm Obituary FACULTY Richard M. Kamm, 90, of Chicago and Tucson, AZ, passed away September 27, 2021. He was the beloved husband for 69 years of Annette Kamm; loving father of Janet (Jeffrey) Carter, Richard Kamm (Terri O’Neil), and Julie Kamm (Kevin Elwood); cherished grandfather of Hilary (Alex) Smith, Vanessa (Richard) Lee, Jennifer (Jason) Baber, Jacqueline Elwood and Georgia Kamm; proud great grandfather of Declan, Charlotte, Emerson, Miles, Owen and Delilah. He was preceded in death by his parents, Duane and Faye Kamm and his brother Tom Kamm. Richard majored in music at the University of Illinois, playing trumpet in the band and orchestra and working his way through school performing with dance bands. He received his master's degree from the University of Kentucky and served two years in the US Army at Fort Riley, Kansas. He moved to the Chicago area to become the band director at the new Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, quickly building the band program into one of the best in the state. He returned to the University of Illinois to complete his Doctorate in Education and became Principal then Superintendent of West Chicago Community High School District 94, gaining recognition for resourceful use of the budget. Following his retirement from the Illinois school system, he worked with the Ball Foundation for Education and the Institute for Strategic Learning. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona

Classmate Memories

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Rena Marchiorello '70 said:

Band was my life in high school. it gave me wonderful memories and friends that will last my lifetime.
I'll never forget the "rhythm wall." You had to clap and count rhythms verbally before you could become a member of the concert band. I often break down a piece using the same techniques "Sir" used to this day. I feel blessed to have been a member of "the band."
Rena Marchiorello Shifflet '70

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Melody Stejskal '71 said:

Many of my favorite high school memories and friends came from being a member of the band under the direction of Richard Kamm. He brought out the best in each person.
Melody Stejskal Finch

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