How I Became My Brother's Keeper: A Eulogy & Memorial for Nicholas Andrew (Nick) Kampmann
Am I my brother’s keeper? The answer is yes, and I’ll tell you how. Have you ever felt compelled to write a eulogy for a loved one? “If you feel compelled to do something, you feel that you must do it, because it is the right thing to do.”
I’m a sibling of and became a paid primary caregiver for Nicholas Andrew Kampmann, through the DORS Personal Assistance Program. This is an example article of a eulogy and a memorial. It’s based on the true story of how I became my brother’s keeper.
Bookmark this article if you wish, and perhaps to refer to should you want to write a eulogy for a loved one yourself someday. As my little brother’s big sister, I knew him well. For instance, Nick loved to talk and was quite a storyteller.
Personality & Quirks
Anyone who knew Nick knows he always had something to say and would tell tall tales to keep a conversation going. He was fun to be around, and cared to be an all around funny guy. Indeed, there were many times when he’d said to me, “I’m trying to make you laugh.” He never failed to do that!
I became my brother’s keeper when he most needed a caregiver. It was a few short years after we’d lost our mom. Dad had already passed when we were barely adults. Moreover, I had more good memories of him than bad, so I didn’t mind embracing the role of my brother’s keeper. Furthermore, I learned a lot as his personal assistant and caregiver.
In Memory of Nick Kampmann
Throughout his life, Nicholas was a tree trimmer, a mechanic, and an asphalt repairman. His last job was at Rail Logistics in St. Louis, Missouri. His favorite activities were fishing, BBQ, telling campfire stories, watching movies, and paintball guns. Nick was a talented cook when it came to grilling. The grill was his happy place.
Occupations and Activities
Nick loved to socialize and be around people, to whom he’d tell jokes and never ending stories. My son once told me that he noticed how his Uncle Nick would do all he could to make people laugh, even though he was always dealing with his own painful ailments. I too witnessed it and most certainly agreed with him.
Stay Calm and Keep On Keeping On
Nick was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of vasculitis and endured kidney failure in the year of 2014. After that, his lifestyle changed drastically. That’s when I found myself stepping up to the plate, so to speak, as my brother’s keeper.
Furthermore, he kept on keeping on through the years, whilst remaining calm, and being good company to others. It wasn’t always easy for him, but it was worth it to him.
Funny Guy and a Kid at Heart
When not working or socializing with others, Nick loved to eat pizza, watch the travel channel, and play games on his phone and computer. His favorite games to play were Doom, Command and Conquer, and Idle Miner Tycoon Simulator.
Relations and Relationships
Nicholas was preceded in death by our parents, grandparents, numerous other relatives, and many of his peers. Furthermore, Nick did not marry, and had no children. However, he did want to become a dad and loved kids. My own children were fond of him. He’s survived by many aunts and uncles, several cousins, his two siblings, a niece and nephew, and his friends.
Celebration of Life
Nick’s friends and loved ones are planning for a gathering at a nearby lake, fishing and barbecuing together, in celebration of his life. The event is to take place sometime in the Spring of 2023. Stay tuned for instructions should you like to attend.
Memorials can be made immediately to the family via Thomas Saksa Funeral Home in Granite City, Illinois. I’m extremely thankful for their careful handling of my brother’s remains. Thomas Saksa Funeral Home has delicately assisted with many of my relatives throughout the years.
A Genuinely Tough Guy with a Gentle Soul: Regarding Nick's Wishes
Nick lost the battle against a triple infection during the hard-fought war against an aggressive form of vasculitis on January 15th, 2023 at 11:41 am. He had just turned 40 years old the day before. Nick’s wishes were to first have his remains cremated. Then, he wanted his ashes to be shared with family and friends.
Creating a Crowdfunding Page for Financial Assistance
Furthermore, Nicholas didn’t have a life insurance policy, and the state can only assist with so much. Many people are enduring hard times right now. Therefore, I’ve created a gofundme page asking for financial assistance in hopes of being enabled to cover the exact costs of his cremation, as needed upfront, via crowdfunding. Anything helps.
Mentioning My Brother's Keepers
Furthermore, this link is the original documentation via photos from the beginning of Nick’s battle against Vasculitis. He received an accurate diagnosis in 2014, with the help of Doctor Seth Goldberg (pictured below with Nick.) Moreover, the staff at Barnes Jewish Hospital helped save his life many times!
As a volunteer participant of The Pexivas Research Study, directed by Dr. Li Tingting, Nick became a regular visitor, and made fast friends with everyone at Barnes Jewish Hospital, Barnes-Jewish Center for Advanced Medicine, and The Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
After spending many years walking the halls of these places with him, I can’t express my gratitude enough, for the positive impact made by all the staff, including his nurses and doctors.
Furthermore, I appreciate all the people we crossed paths with along the way who also taught us something, including the staff and friends Nick made at Davita Dialysis. The aid provided helped him continue to fight to live his life to the best of his abilities, for as long as possible. Thanks to all who helped us help Nick!
Our Brother in Christ
Truth be told, Nick might not have lived to turn forty without the help of all the peoples at these places. Thank you neighbors! As his siblings, we originally agreed to donate his remains to medical science upon his expiration.
We thought it would be honorable of him to assist future generations of humans with finding solutions for ailments such as he endured. Unfortunately, due to multiple infections we weren’t able to make those arrangements.
This is why a gofundme.com page was created, to assist with ensuring the granting of his final wishes. Thanks for all your contributions!
Furthermore, Nicholas Andrew Kampmann became a believer also, and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Personal Savior. He didn’t mind me discussing lessons learned from Jesus with him either.
Even as he dealt with pain and long-suffering, and didn’t want to die, our father in heaven ensured his transition was peaceful, painless, and swift in the event of his death. I held his hand for the final time, whilst we were surrounded by of our friends and relatives, in person and online. Thank you for being here for us!
As a believer myself I have faith as well, that even though the flesh returns to the dust of the earth, it doesn’t mean the end of our essence. Moreover, I think the spirit thereafter remains eternal, just as Jesus said in other words, “when the dead rise, they become like angels in heaven.”
The Life & Times of Nick Kampmann
I feel so much gratitude towards all of you who became my brother’s keeper along with me, and for sharing in the life and times of Nicholas Andrew Kampmann. Thanks again all my brother’s keepers, for listening, and for all your contributions!
A Lesson from Nick
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