Sept. 6, 1939-Feb. 24, 2023
Frederick W. Overkamp of Hurricane, Utah, passed away Feb 24, 2023, at the hospital in St. George, Utah, at the age of 83 due to complications after heart surgery. He was born on Sept. 6, 1939, the son of Joseph and Alice Struck Overkamp of Little Falls, New Jersey.
Fred retired to Utah from Boothbay Harbor, Maine, with his wife Catherine in 2011 to begin a new adventure in the desert. After a couple of years of participating in archeological digs back in Maine, he set his sights on learning about paleontology. He began to volunteer at the Dinosaur Discovery Museum in St. George, Utah, where he was invited to help on a field survey for the new state Route 7 with paleontologist Andrew Milner.
There, he made lasting new friendships as they worked together in the lab extracting fossils and helping in other ways at the museum. His favorite specimen project was a phytosaur jaw with teeth and he also enjoyed working with ancient plant fossils. He enjoyed helping to represent the museum at Geology Fest for several years at Bryce Canyon.
Fred was an active member of the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church for 12 years. He especially enjoyed singing in the choir with cherished friends.
He had countless adventures with family and friends, enjoying all the beautiful places to explore in nature. He loved petroglyphs and ancient sites, rocks and geology, history and culture. He was always excited to learn new things and shared with others his lifetime of knowledge generously. Fred took beautiful photographs and was a talented oil painter and craftsman.
In his younger years he participated in sidewalk art shows selling his works depicting coastal New England scenes. Later, he often painted from his travels in New Mexico and Utah. He shared a two-person show with his daughter Joanna at Blue Rain Gallery in Taos, New Mexico.
Fred enjoyed 35 years of building a multi-location small business with his wife and family. Their shops, called Christmas Magic, offered collectibles, ornaments and local crafts to visitors in Southern Maine.
He leaves behind his wife of 60 years Catherine; two daughters Joanna R. Overkamp, of Hurricane, Utah, and Jill E. Overkamp Dawson, of Mason, Ohio; their “ adopted “ son John O’Donnell of Hurricane, Utah; son-in-law Scott Dawson, of Woodbury, Minnesota; granddaughter Olivia A. Dawson, of Woodbury, Minnesota, sister Janet C. Overkamp Braen and her husband George C. Braen; a nephew: Joseph Braen and wife Nancy, grandniece, Mary Braen and grandnephew, Daniel Braen, all of Hamden, Connecticut.
He was predeceased by his grandson Elliott T. Dawson; niece, Linda C. Braen; and two sisters Dr. Corine R. Overkamp M.D. and Lois A. Overkamp.
A Celebration of Life will be at the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in St. George Utah, Saturday, March 4, at 11 a.m. with Dr. Rev. Ralph Clingan officiating. His remains will be buried in the Rose Garden at the church at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fred’s memory to the Dinosaur Discovery Museum at 2180 East Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84790.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.