Obituary for James Halberg Langenkamp MD
This world has lost a gentle giant. Jim entered into eternal life on March 6, 2021 in Naples, FL
surrounded by his loving family. Born in Dodgeville, WI on April 25, 1947 to Gordon and
Elizabeth Langenkamp, Jim was a man with a big heart. A kind, deeply religious man, Jim faced
each day with gratitude, humility, honesty and humor.
Jim was an exceptional scholar and athlete. A graduate of Merrill High School, Marquette
University, and the University of Wisconsin Medical School, he became a Board Certified
orthopaedic surgeon after completing residency at the U.S. Naval Hospital San Diego, CA.
Known as Dr. J. to his patients and many others, he practiced medicine in Milwaukee for 37
years, beginning at Columbia/St. Mary’s Hospital. Dr. Langenkamp was a founding member of
the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin, where he served as chief of surgery. He was also a
dedicated surgeon for the Wisconsin Health Fund. As a physician, he was generous with his
time, talent, and spent hours in the service of others. He mentored countless young doctors and
health care personnel. Jim was the volunteer team doctor for the Marquette University men’s
basketball team for 20 years. In addition, he spent hours helping athletes at Cardinal Stritch
University and Marquette University High School. These many years of service resulted in
numerous awards and recognitions.
Jim’s family was the center of everything he did. He was married for 51 years to the love of his
life, Vida Gill. They met at Marquette University, where he played basketball under Coach Al
McGuire, and caught the eye of cheerleader Vida. Jim and Vida were best friends, making
countless, cherished, lifelong friends no matter where life took them. His favorite trips were
visits to see his children. Jim loved golfing with son Brian, talking social issues with daughter
Amy, eating oysters with son Chris, and grilling out with son-in-law Bill. He was the beloved
PopPop to his adored grandchildren and the fun-loving, supportive Uncle Jim to 19 nieces and
nephews. All will miss him dearly.
Upon leaving Milwaukee, Jim and Vida spent the last several years living in either South Bend,
IN or Naples, FL. Jim never met a stranger, and treated everyone from all walks of life with
utmost respect and dignity. He loved to tell a good story, sometimes elaborating and always
resulting in a lot of laughter. Jim was a staunch fan of the Green Bay Packers, MU basketball,
and UW-Madison football teams. An avid reader, Vida always knew where she could find him:
reclining in bed or in his chair reading. Jim was passionate about environmental and social
justice issues, making the world a better place.
Jim is survived by his wife, Vida Gill Langenkamp, son Brian Langenkamp, daughter Amy
Langenkamp(William Jackson), son Christopher Langenkamp, and grandchildren Isabel
Langenkamp, Lauren Langenkamp, Elliott Jackson, and Lucinda Jackson. He is also survived by
sister Betsy Smith(Mark), brothers-in-law Thomas Gill(Betty), David Gill(Mary Ellen), David
Heideman, and Theodore Gill(Jan). He is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Elizabeth
Langenkamp, brother Don Langenkamp, and sisters-in-law Mary Langenkamp and Jeanne Gill
Heideman.
If desired, donations may be made to the James and Vida Gill Langenkamp Endowed
Scholarship at Marquette University. Marquette University Advancement, P.O. Box 7013,
Carol Stream, IL 60197. The St. Vincent DePaul Society, 520 Crescent Ave, South Bend, IN
46617. The American Heart Association (www.heart.org), or the charity of your choice.
A visitation will be held on May 26, 2021 from 9:00-11:00am, Mass of Christian Burial
immediately following. St. Robert Church, 2200 E. Capital Drive, Shorewood, WI.
surrounded by his loving family. Born in Dodgeville, WI on April 25, 1947 to Gordon and
Elizabeth Langenkamp, Jim was a man with a big heart. A kind, deeply religious man, Jim faced
each day with gratitude, humility, honesty and humor.
Jim was an exceptional scholar and athlete. A graduate of Merrill High School, Marquette
University, and the University of Wisconsin Medical School, he became a Board Certified
orthopaedic surgeon after completing residency at the U.S. Naval Hospital San Diego, CA.
Known as Dr. J. to his patients and many others, he practiced medicine in Milwaukee for 37
years, beginning at Columbia/St. Mary’s Hospital. Dr. Langenkamp was a founding member of
the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin, where he served as chief of surgery. He was also a
dedicated surgeon for the Wisconsin Health Fund. As a physician, he was generous with his
time, talent, and spent hours in the service of others. He mentored countless young doctors and
health care personnel. Jim was the volunteer team doctor for the Marquette University men’s
basketball team for 20 years. In addition, he spent hours helping athletes at Cardinal Stritch
University and Marquette University High School. These many years of service resulted in
numerous awards and recognitions.
Jim’s family was the center of everything he did. He was married for 51 years to the love of his
life, Vida Gill. They met at Marquette University, where he played basketball under Coach Al
McGuire, and caught the eye of cheerleader Vida. Jim and Vida were best friends, making
countless, cherished, lifelong friends no matter where life took them. His favorite trips were
visits to see his children. Jim loved golfing with son Brian, talking social issues with daughter
Amy, eating oysters with son Chris, and grilling out with son-in-law Bill. He was the beloved
PopPop to his adored grandchildren and the fun-loving, supportive Uncle Jim to 19 nieces and
nephews. All will miss him dearly.
Upon leaving Milwaukee, Jim and Vida spent the last several years living in either South Bend,
IN or Naples, FL. Jim never met a stranger, and treated everyone from all walks of life with
utmost respect and dignity. He loved to tell a good story, sometimes elaborating and always
resulting in a lot of laughter. Jim was a staunch fan of the Green Bay Packers, MU basketball,
and UW-Madison football teams. An avid reader, Vida always knew where she could find him:
reclining in bed or in his chair reading. Jim was passionate about environmental and social
justice issues, making the world a better place.
Jim is survived by his wife, Vida Gill Langenkamp, son Brian Langenkamp, daughter Amy
Langenkamp(William Jackson), son Christopher Langenkamp, and grandchildren Isabel
Langenkamp, Lauren Langenkamp, Elliott Jackson, and Lucinda Jackson. He is also survived by
sister Betsy Smith(Mark), brothers-in-law Thomas Gill(Betty), David Gill(Mary Ellen), David
Heideman, and Theodore Gill(Jan). He is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Elizabeth
Langenkamp, brother Don Langenkamp, and sisters-in-law Mary Langenkamp and Jeanne Gill
Heideman.
If desired, donations may be made to the James and Vida Gill Langenkamp Endowed
Scholarship at Marquette University. Marquette University Advancement, P.O. Box 7013,
Carol Stream, IL 60197. The St. Vincent DePaul Society, 520 Crescent Ave, South Bend, IN
46617. The American Heart Association (www.heart.org), or the charity of your choice.
A visitation will be held on May 26, 2021 from 9:00-11:00am, Mass of Christian Burial
immediately following. St. Robert Church, 2200 E. Capital Drive, Shorewood, WI.