Donald Howard Kortkamp, age 88, of Liverpool, NY, passed away on March 14, 2026.

Don was born on October 24, 1937, in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the oldest child of the late Verna Denniston Kortkamp and Howard George Kortkamp.

He grew up in a loving home in the woods along Fourmile Creek, downstream from Lake Wazeecha, with chickens and a goat named Chevy. Don graduated with honors from Wisconsin Rapids High School and earned his B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He went on to a 32-year engineering career at General Electric in Syracuse, NY, retiring in 1992.

Soon after moving to Syracuse, he met Shirley Ruth McNairn, who had come from Morristown, NY, a few years earlier to work as an X-ray technologist at Crouse Irving Hospital. They met at a singles group at University United Methodist Church in Syracuse and were married on December 1, 1962, in Ogdensburg, NY. They then moved into their home in Liverpool, NY, where they lived for the rest of their lives and raised their three children: Krista, Keven, and Kenneth. Don always held a bit of Wisconsin close to his heart, surrounding his yard with the lilacs and white pines from his childhood home.

Don and Shirley shared 60 loving years of marriage before Shirley's passing in 2023. Over the years, they enjoyed many adventures and traveled to numerous countries, including a four-month, summer-long cross-country RV trip to the Yukon and Alaska.

Don and Shirley were active members of the Henderson Harbor Yacht Club and enjoyed summers at their lakeside cottage across the bay. They both grew up on the water and shared a deep connection to it through sailing and kayaking on Lake Ontario, in the Adirondacks, and beyond. After retirement, Don taught celestial navigation classes to the sailing community and volunteered at the Museum of Science and Technology (M.O.S.T.) in Syracuse, NY.

Don was a curious learner of science and math with a kind heart and an innocent demeanor. He always had a book in his hand, classical music playing in his home, a treat of leftover popcorn for the woodland creatures, and a bowl of ice cream and chocolate ready for family and guests. He lived an active life, enjoying cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and running; he competed in one of the first marathons held in Syracuse, NY, in 1977.

Don was especially proud of and deeply loved his children and grandchildren, passing on to them his curiosity and sense of wonder of life.

Don was predeceased by his loving wife, Shirley Ruth Kortkamp; his sister, Linda Temte Canzanelli; his son, Keven Donald Kortkamp; and his daughter-in-law, Susie Krieger Kortkamp.

He is survived by his children, Krista Linn Canham and her husband, Robert of Ballston Spa NY, and Kenneth Howard Kortkamp of Novato CA; three grandchildren, Haley, Christian, and Willa; his brother, Robert George Kortkamp; and seven nieces and nephews; Terri, John, Brian, Richard, David, Dianne, and Donna.

Don left this world the way he lived—at peace in his home in the woods.

In memory of Donald and Shirley Kortkamp, please consider donating to Friends of Beaver Lake Nature Center https://donations-and-memorials.square.site/product/donations-in-memory-of/2204?cs=true&cst=custom

Please sign the Maurer Funeral Home on-line guestbook for Donald to express your condolences to his family.