Professor Emeritus and Director Emeritus Dr. Charles DCamp

Charles DCamp, PhD, professor emeritus and director emeritus in the St. Ambrose University Music Department, passed away Wednesday, January 25. He was 90.

"Charles was the quintessential gentleman musician," said William Campbell, PhD, professor of the St. Ambrose Music Department. Campbell fondly reflected on DCamp's "supportive, kind, fun, bright, and cheerful" demeanor that he brought with him throughout his fruitful music career.

DCamp was a member of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1974 to 1995 until his retirement. He then continued as an adjunct instructor for the music department from 2000 to 2009. Before coming to St. Ambrose, he served as Director of Bands at Pleasant Valley Schools in Pleasant Valley, Iowa and United Township High School in East Moline, Illinois, with a total of over 50 years teaching instrumental music. DCamp served St. Ambrose University as Director of Bands, Professor of Music and Music Education, Chair of the Fine Arts Division, Chair of the University Faculty, and member of numerous University committees.

"Throughout his busy career, Charles found time to mentor countless musicians, many of whom have gone on to lead their own fruitful music careers," added Campbell. "He was the cornerstone of the Music Department for many years. After he retired and his wife passed away, he and his family created The Joyce and Charles DCamp Endowed Scholarship, a scholarship to help fund music majors pursuing their education goals at St. Ambrose."

In addition to his St. Ambrose work, DCamp shared his love of music as conductor emeritus for The Quad City Wind Ensemble; he served as President of the Iowa Bandmasters Association and was first Historian of that group; he served the IMEA as President, Chairman of Band Affairs, and as Editor of the IMEA Journal.

He was a recipient of the Karl King Distinguished Service Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the Iowa Music Educators Association.

"We will all long remember Chuck's wide grin, his clarinet in hand, offering himself in the service of music for others," said Campbell.

A visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 27, at the Runge Mortuary, 838 East Kimberly Road, Davenport, followed by a Masonic service at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Asbury United Methodist Church, 1809 Mississippi Blvd., Bettendorf. The service will be live-streamed at: http://jesusisthebridge.org under "Worship Live", select "YouTube."