HIU Mourns the Passing of Chaplain Paul Krampitz, D.Min. '12

The Rev. Dr. Paul Krampitz, who graduated from HIU's Doctor of Ministry program in 2012, passed away on Sept. 18 after his motorcycle was struck by a car on Route 9 in Berlin, CT.

The HIU community extends its deepest sympathy to the Rev. Dr. Krampitz's family. 

"Paul was a wonderful person and a generous, caring pastor and chaplain," said Dr. Scott Thumma, Co-Director of the Doctor of Ministry program. "His absence is a significant loss not only for his family and congregation, but for the many groups of firefighters, police, bikers, and older adult communities that he embraced as their chaplain and spiritual presence. He will be greatly missed."

Among other jobs and leadership positions, the Rev. Dr. Krampitz was a Connecticut State Police chaplain. He was off-duty and riding his motorcycle when a car moved into the left lane, where he was riding, according to news reports.

The Rev. Dr. Krampitz was appointed a chaplain in 2008. He served Troop L in Litchfield, Troop H in Hartford, and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection headquarters in Middletown.

“Chaplain Krampitz touched the lives of hundreds of troopers, dispatchers and support staff in his 16 years of service,” a state police press release said. "[He] was a pillar to our agency following the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting and navigated our agency through dozens of Critical Incident Stress Management debriefings. Often sought after by troopers, command staff and chaplains for spiritual support, counsel, mentorship and guidance; Chaplain Krampitz was a reputable and respected member of our agency.”

The Rev. Dr. Krampitz graduated from Yale Divinity School before attending then-Hartford Seminary. He served congregations in Connecticut and Rhode Island, was a past dean of the Southern CT and Central CT Conferences, and served on the New England Synod Council and Candidacy Committee.

He is survived by his wife Paula and five children. 

Click here for his obituary.