By Michael J. Kammermeyer, an industrial design professor in the Cal State Long Beach Design Department, died Sept. 23, following an almost 10-year battle with cancer. He was 69.
Kammermeyer, who taught part-time at CSULB after his retirement in 2003, was described by fellow faculty members as being passionate about the field of industrial design.
“He was one half the team that created and built the industrial design program at Cal State Long Beach,” said David Teubner, a fellow professor at CSULB, in a letter informing the design department of Kammermeyer’s passing. “He did more than many designers have done to influence us and the things we create.”
“He was so passionate about the industrial design program,” said Tor Hovind, design department chairman. “That was his life.”
Kammermeyer was not only passionate, but he had a lot of experience as well, according to his students.
“He just had tons of knowledge,” said Andrew Namminga, a senior industrial design major. “I wish I could have taken more advantage of his knowledge.”
Namminga said students had to do exceptional work for Kammermeyer because he knew the difference between good and bad design.
Dorothy Ottolia, a colleague and former student of Kammermeyer’s, said he inspired his students to think.
“In every way he was a true teacher, not only in an academic sense, but also with regards to simple life lessons,” Ottolia said.
“He seemed to really take an interest in the students and helping them really understand what it was all about,” said Nathan Nauta, a sophomore industrial design major.
Kammermeyer was also a CSULB alumnus. He received his bachelor’s in industrial design from USC in 1961, and his master’s, also in industrial design, from CSULB in 1967.
Before joining the CSULB Design Department as a professor in 1968, Kammermeyer was the vice president of research and development at Phoenix Products, Inc. He also worked for Rockwell International as a senior design engineer on the Apollo Spacecraft and other commercial transport projects.
Starting in 1961, Kammermeyer did consulting work for various business, including the U.S. Army Natick Laboratories, the National Research Council of Canada, MASS Engineering and the Veterans Administration.
Although he had worked in industry, Kammermeyer was passionate about his job at CSULB.
“I was always inspired by Mike’s dedication to and love for this department,” said Allison Ohanian, administrative coordinator for the design department. “His passion for design and teaching was never-ending.”
Kammermeyer’s dedication to his department did not go unnoticed.
“He has a huge following,” Hovind said. “Lots of people are going to miss him.”
Teubner called Kammermeyer a “legend” and said he inspired many in the department to do their best work.
“There definitely will be scholarships named after him,” Hovind said.
After his retirement, Kammermeyer continued teaching part time.
“He fought his disease the same way that he taught design – with insatiable curiosity, meticulous attention to detail and a dogged determination to somehow outwit, outsmart and befuddle his opponent,” Teubner said in his letter. “Unfortunately, the disease had a better methodology.”
There will be an open-house memorial for Kammermeyer on Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden.
