Hermann von Kampen

Hermann G. von Kampen
September 11, 1938 – January 21, 2026


It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Hermann von Kampen of East Moriches. Formerly of Great River. A man with quiet strength, distinguished charm, sharp wit and a laugh that will echo in our hearts forever, Hermann passed away on January 21, 2026.

Born in Alfstedt, Germany, September 11, 1938-Hermann arrived in the United States at age 16 with his late parents, Marie and Fred von Kampen of Oakdale, and his four siblings: the late John von Kampen, Anne Berg, Inge Niden, and Marge von Kampen. He arrived with big dreams, an adventurous spirit and staggering good looks, beginning a life defined by unwavering devotion to those he loved.
Hermann’s presence became a permanent fixture in the collective memory of Long Island. Whether he was serving people from behind the counter at the Idle Hour Deli in Oakdale, managing the dining room at Barons III on Vets Highway, or welcoming guests at
Bagels n’ Brunch in Speonk, his gentle spirit and sense of humor turned customers into lifelong friends. Throughout his life, he remained a dedicated, loving father and a true family man who always had a taste for the finer things and brought a sense of grace and class to everything that he touched. To much of Long Island, Hermann may have been the face of hospitality, but his quiet strength was perfected on the golf course, finding his simple, elegant clarity in every swing.

At the heart of his life was an epic love story with Elsie. Together in Great River, they raised their children, Roy von Kampen and Elise Setteducati, and built a foundation of love and family. Hermann and Elsie’s journey was one of choosing each other again and again; (IYKYK) Hermann has now returned to be with Elsie to continue their multi-volume epic series. Together they proved that their story was too powerful to ever truly end, and that the best characters always find their way back to one another to begin another series.
Hermann leaves behind a legacy as a steady, guiding light for his grandchildren: Shane and Katarina von Kampen, and Julia and Fiona Setteducati. While he has reached the 18th hole of this life, the beauty of Herman’s spirit and the loyalty of his service has certainly left an indelible mark on his family and the community he called home—a memory forever etched into the fabric of the many lives he touched across Long Island.