BY MICHAEL OLOHAN
OF PASCACK PRESS
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J. —— A longtime Knights of Columbus member, Ken Kaphammer, 88, of Washington Township was recognized Nov. 14 for his 70 years of service to the Knights of Columbus Mother Seton Council 5427, including service as financial secretary, newsletter editor, and recording secretary.
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Approximately 50 members joined Kaphammer to honor him with a plaque to celebrate his contributions to Knights of Columbus. Kaphammer joined the Knights when he turned 18.
“All told, Ken has served the Knights of Columbus for 70 years,” wrote Vinny Vinagre, Grand Knight, or leader, of council 5427 in November’s newsletter, “The Seton Call.” Viagre said he has worked closely with Kaphammer for almost four years.
“Ken has been nothing short of excellence. Ken is professional, dedicated and loyal. He has been a true asset to the Knights and our Council,” he added.
Due to illness, Kaphammer has had to cut back his workload for the council.
During his appreciation night Nov. 14, Kaphammer gave members a capsule overview of his life, work, and post-work career with the K. of C.
Jim Dugan, public relations chair, said he was “amazed at how much he handled and how well he did it all.” Dugan said Kaphammer’s financial and computer knowledge made council finance audits and mailings efficient and successful.
Moreover, Kaphammer was editor and publisher of award-winning newsletter, “The Seton Call,” and for 23 years served as editor of the Jospeh F. Lamb Assembly newsletter, “The Patriot.”
Kaphammer was born in August 1930 in Oregon and his family moved to southern Idaho where he grew up on an 80-acre potato farm, with cows, pigs and chickens.
He served in the Navy during the Korean War, when he received training in aviation electronics. He was involved with a number of top secret operations, including the maintenance and testing of underseas weapons.
Following his Navy service, Kaphammer was recruited by International Telephone and Telegraph, where he worked 33 years until “early retirement” at 60.
After retiring, Kaphammer volunteered with Washington Township’s ambulance corps and became involved with the Knights.
Photo courtesy Father Ray Rodrigue
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