Hugh Frederick Kamen
Hugh Frederick Kamen January 20, 1944 - May 9, 2016 San Diego Age 72, died peacefully at home on May 9th, 2016, surrounded by family and close friends. Hugh was born in Detroit, MI, in 1944 and graduated from Mumford High School in 1961. He moved to Los Angeles in 1963, completing his undergraduate studies at UCLA in 1967. He worked as a caseworker in South Central LA for a few years, and afterward spent a year teaching English in Italy, living on a Kibbutz, and traveling in Western Europe. In 1973, he moved to San Diego and obtained his M.S.W. from San Diego State University in 1975. He subsequently worked with a number of mental health organizations, including UCSD's Gifford Mental Health Clinic and, in 1978, he participated in the crisis intervention response team following the PSA airliner crash. He obtained a Ph.D. from Alliant International University in 1987, then worked as a Staff Psychologist at the Springall Academy, a non-public special education program for children and adolescents. Simultaneously, he established a private practice in Clinical Psychology in La Mesa, CA, treating adults, children, couples and families, which he continued until his death. Hugh and his wife, Frances, were married in 1989 and have one daughter, Emily. His family, though small, was the main focus of his love, devotion, and support. His diverse interests reflected his life experiences and his deep appreciation of the people (and animals) he met along the way. He liked to travel - always trying to speak the native tongue - loved music, literature, the arts, being in nature and good food. He found creative outlets in taking photographs, writing poetry, and maintaining his beloved home, built in 1930, and his cars. The love and admiration of his family, friends, and many clients is an affirmation of his kind, generous, patient, and loving spirit. Donations may be made in his honor to any charity supporting mental health, animal rescue, or prostate cancer.
Audrey Feldman
This is so shocking. I saw Hugh at the 40 year reunion, and can now remember him as a beautiful person. I wish we could live forever.
Audrey Feldmani
David Rives
Main memory of Hugh:
In my family's house on Santa Barbara, we had a closet upstairs, where my mother kept "notions" (whatever those were [cf, the movie "Carol"]).
Was rummaging through there one day and noticed a bottle of peroxide. "Hmm, I thought, peroxide is what ladies use to bleach their hair. I think I'd like to see what my hair would look like, bleached."
So, I took a cotton ball, wet it with the peroxide, and pressed the liquid into my front lock of hair.
Woke up the next day, thought it looked pretty cool. Went to school and got ribbed to death by all the "toughs:" Frank Goldberg, Cal Levin, Jason Goldman, etc.; got called a queer, a faggot, a sissy, etc.
Well, sure enough, within the week, EVERY LAST ONE OF THOSE GUYS HAD "FROSTED" HIS HAIR!! Guess I wasn't the only one who thought it looked cool!
And who took this "frosting" to its extreme? That's right: Hugh Kamen, who'd ribbed me the most, and then turned EVERY LAST ONE OF HIS HAIRS BLOND!
So, thanks, Hugh, for showing me that "leadership" can happen in very strange and roundabout ways!!
You will be missed.
Marsha Fleischer (Lawner)
So sad to hear this news. We had some fun times together. I use to call him Hughie.
Condolences to his family and friends.
Marsha Fleischer lawner
Bonnie Woolf
Sad News, I remember him too. Great guy and a good friend.
Bonnie Woolf