Obituary of Rev. Canon Dean Delos Wampler
Saratoga Springs - Father Dean Delos Wampler, of the Home of the Good Shepherd, Saratoga Springs, NY, died on May 8, 2017 at the age of 94. Father Wampler was born on February 2, 1923 to Charles and Lillys Wampler in Chanute, Kansas. He was raised in Kansas and earned an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Kansas. After graduating, he enlisted in the Navy and served three years of active duty during the Second World War specializing in the application of radar. At the end of the war, he was honorably discharged. After his discharge he joined GE as an Electrical Engineer working in both Pittsfield and Schenectady. He didn't stay with GE very long before he was accepted by Bishop Barry from the parish of St. George's, Schenectady, to be a postulant to the Priesthood. After his graduation from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in 1953 he was ordained on June 14, 1953, to the Diaconate at the Cathedral of All Saints, Albany, by Bishop Barry. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 21, 1953, at St. Paul's, Bloomville, NY. His love for the outdoors gave him a heart for rural ministry, which is why Bishop Barry assigned him to St. Peter's, Hobart, St. Paul's, Bloomville and Grace Church, Stamford. After serving these three churches for about six years he was given the opportunity to found Barry House, the Diocesan Retreat and Conference Center, and serve as a priest in a team ministry in the Adirondacks. In September 1959, Father Wampler started his ministry to the Adirondack Mission, a group of six small North Country churches, St. Paul's, Brant Lake; Good Shepherd, Chestertown; St. Barbara's, Newcomb; St. Christopher's, North Creek; Christ Church, Pottersville and St. Andrew's, Schroon Lake. He continued ministering in the Adirondack Mission and Barry House until he retired in 1991, when he moved to Schenectady to assist at St. George's Episcopal Church. Father Wampler was also very active in the Episcopal Diocese of Albany serving as President of the Standing Committee of the Diocese and a Deputy to the Church's General Convention for many years. Father Wampler also had a love for the arts and world travels. He began his violin studies as a youth and continued to play the violin throughout his life. This included being a member of the Oneonta Symphony in the late fifties. He continued his patronage for the arts and music his whole life. His world travels included a sabbatical at St. George's College in Jerusalem and as a supply rector in Guadalajara, Mexico. He is survived by two nephews, David Wampler, and his wife, Tracy, who live in Becket, MA, and Dean Wampler and his wife, Vicki, who live in Omaha, NE. The funeral will be on Monday, May 15, 2017 at St George's Episcopal Church, 30 North Ferry St., Schenectady, NY. Calling hours will be from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by a liturgy for the Burial of the Dead with a Requiem Mass. The celebrant will be The Right Reverend William Love, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany. Memorial contributions can be made to St. George's Episcopal Church and Community Hospice in Saratoga.
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Rev. Canon Dean Wampler
1923 - 2017
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