Victor Camp
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Victor Camp. He joined his Heavenly Father on December 23, 2022. His strong faith in the Lord is truly what guided him and his family through life’s journey on earth.
Victor was born at home on January 25, 1925, to Harold and Beulah Camp of Boise.
At a very young age he had a love for cars and a fascination with flying. His first car was a 1927 Oldsmobile. Victor was often switching out parts to build a better and faster car.
Victor’s passion for flight started innocently enough and eventually escalated to asking his brother Jim to join him in an attempt to “fly off” the garage. The two brothers formulated a plan and decided to test the effects of gravity by first sending a goose dressed in a cape off the ledge prior to their own eventual decent from the garage roofline.
Victor joined his father for his first job at Quality Broom Factory where he spent the day helping his dad construct brooms. He also had a paper route for The Idaho Statesman and Capital News. He took pride in his work as a mechanic for Boise Battery and Brake, Cranston Chevrolet Dealer, and Petersons.
In 1942, he was blessed to marry the love of his life, Roberta R. Lee. In 1943, they welcomed their first child, Vicki. A few months after Vicki’s birth, Victor exited the 10th grade as he was drafted into the Armed Forces as the U.S. had entered World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Victor served honorably in the Army Air Corps. He would preflight three planes before every mission and maintained the machine guns on Ie Shima Island in Japan. Victor always wanted to fly, but unfortunately was not allowed to since he did not have the required high school diploma.
1948 brought about the excitement of purchasing a tractor and starting his own business, Camp Excavation. Later he was able to proudly purchase a brand new 1957 tractor.
In 1949, Victor and Roberta welcomed their second child Robert (Bobby). Bobby joined the excavation business with his dad in 1972 and continued to work side by side until Victor’s retirement in 1987.
Retirement brought many opportunities for him to enjoy camping trips with Roberta and spending time building memories with family.
Victor’s granddaughters have many fond memories of playing No Bears Are Out Tonight and searching for tomato worms! He also spent time teaching his great-grandsons how to ride dirt bikes by running behind them!
Victor always enjoyed singing and later joined The Boise Chordsmen barber shop quartet. Victor and Roberta shared a deep love of music and often spent time singing together while Roberta played the organ by ear, what a true talent! Victor continued to sing right up to the end.
As fate would have it, Victor was able to continue to fulfill his passion for flight when he met Steve Appleton, a fellow aviation enthusiast. They both shared their love for P-47 Thunderbolt fighter planes. Steve once took Victor for a ride of a lifetime in a A.T.6 (trainer plane for a P-47) and even allowed Victor to take the controls. Truly a dream come true of a boy who once dared to “fly off” the rooftop of his childhood home!
In 2001, Boise High School held a long overdue graduation ceremony for the World War II veterans who left school early to serve their country. Victor was truly honored to finally obtain his high school diploma nearly 60 years later!
Victor is survived by his daughter Vicki Jones and son Bobby Camp. Granddaughters Rita, Susan, Jenny, and Stacie. Three great-grandchildren Cory, Colton, and Isabella.
He is preceded in death by the love of his life Roberta, his parents, brothers, and sister. His son-in-law Raymond, grandson Michael and great-grandchildren Abigail and Ronald.
There will be an open house to honor Victor on January 7th, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Whitney Friends Church – 3102 W. Palouse St, Boise, Idaho 83705.