Ronald John Kampstra

Ronald John Kampstra, 86, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Waunakee Valley Senior Living in Waunakee, surrounded by his family. A lifelong Wisconsinite, Ron was born on February 20, 1940, in Randolph, to Raymond and Irene (Bartol) Kampstra. He graduated from Randolph High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in education from UW-Platteville, and later obtained a master’s degree in traffic safety.

Ron was a multi-sports athlete at Randolph, with a special love of basketball. After graduation, he played for the UW-Platteville Pioneers, earning second team Collegiate All-State honors, during the 1962-63 season, where he averaged 21.5 points per game. After earning his degree, he continued playing basketball, in a semi-pro league, in the Milwaukee area. His love of basketball continued throughout his life. You could find him playing pickup basketball at the Rhinelander YMCA well into his late 70s.

Ron was a public-school teacher for 35-plus years. Most of his career was with the Watertown Unified School District, teaching industrial arts and driver’s education. Ron was also a JV boys basketball coach before becoming Watertown’s varsity girls basketball head coach during their inaugural season of 1976-1977, winning the WIAA State Championship, in Class A, that first year. The team made it back to State two additional times during his coaching career, including a State runner-up in 1981, and an overall 6-2 record in the State Tournament.

Ron was always busy with projects. He renovated their cottage from the 1960s into their full-time residence in the late 1990s when he and his late wife, Sue, retired and moved to Tomahawk full-time. He enjoyed living on the lake, always working on landscaping and improving upon the home and property.

Ron was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Tomahawk. In 2005 Ron designed and built the current altar wall and communion rail. Later he built wooden frames to hold religious art. Ron also obtained a steeple removed from a renovated church, transported it to Tomahawk, and built the cross that resides at the top.

Ron is survived by his children, Paul (Trendi) Kampstra, Kristin (Brian) Potts, and Michael (Amy) Kampstra; his grandchildren, Bradon (Janelle) Kampstra, Kiran and Noemi Potts, and Atia and Renata Kampstra; his great-grandsons, Rory and Scottie Kampstra; as well as his siblings Betty Wierenga, Robert (Sharon) Kampstra, and Mary (Del) Vogel. Ron was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Susanne; and his parents, Raymond and Irene Kampstra.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 11, at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tomahawk, at 11 a.m. Rev. Mark Gass will officiate. The family will receive friends for visitation from 9 until the time of services at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, 16 Theiler Dr, Tomahawk. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. You may leave online condolences at generationsfuneral.com.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” - Psalm 32:8.