The late Charlie Kamuf, a beloved figure known for his dedication to both agriculture and the broader community, was posthumously honored with the Humanitarian Award at the 45th Annual Farm City Breakfast on Saturday.
The annual award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves through leadership, family values, civic service, and strong business management.
Kamuf was a longtime attorney with a deep-rooted passion for farming and was remembered for his generosity, kindness, and unwavering commitment to the people of Owensboro and Daviess County.
“Charlie was a lawyer, but not really — he was a farmer at heart,” said Rod Keugel, who presented the award. “He had dirt in his veins, and he loved everything about farming — well, almost everything. He once told me when he was young and working in tobacco, hanging it up in the barn, he decided that part of farming wasn’t quite for him. But every farm Charlie touched improved, just like every person he met.”
Keugel recounted a story that captured Kamuf’s selfless nature. After a woman and her child accidentally hit his parked car, rather than calling the police or seeking an insurance claim, Kamuf instead gave the family a ride home and had the vehicle repaired without seeking reimbursement.
“While most of us would have worried about the damage done to our car, Charlie worried about the damage done to that young family,” Keugel said. “He cared about people. He made a real difference in every life he touched.”
Daviess County Farm Bureau President Wally Taylor echoed those sentiments, noting that Kamuf had an enduring impact on the agricultural community.
“Farming was in his blood,” Taylor said. “He was always interested in what was happening on the farm and in agriculture. He didn’t go around bragging about what he did — he just took care of things in his own way.”
Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Candance Brake said Kamuf embodied the essence of the Farm City Breakfast, which celebrates the connection between urban and rural life.
“Charlie personified farm and city,” Brake said. “He loved both, but more importantly, he loved people. He was always encouraging, always making a difference, and there wasn’t a person in that room who didn’t have a story about how he had helped them in some way.”
Kamuf’s family accepted the award on his behalf, expressing their gratitude for the recognition of his lifelong commitment to the community.
“This award is an honor for our family,” they said in a statement to Owensboro Times. “Our father never sought recognition — he just genuinely loved helping people. He believed in investing in this community, whether through his work, friendships, or simply by listening and lending a hand. Owensboro and Daviess County were home, and he spent his life fostering relationships that made this place better.”
The family continued, “He was fascinated by the land, by the economics of agriculture, and by the people who made their living from it. He could spend hours talking with farmers, learning from them, and figuring out how he could help them succeed. He had such deep respect for the hard work, risks, and rewards that come with farming. He didn’t just see farmland — he saw opportunity, history, and a way of life worth preserving.”
Kamuf’s legacy will live on through his family, who have donated several dozen of his ties to the Chamber of Young Professionals’ Guys & Ties program.
“He truly loved Owensboro and Daviess County. This was home, and he believed in investing in its people and its future,” the family said. “Whether it was through his work, his friendships, or just driving around talking to folks, he was always engaged with the community. He believed that strong communities were built on relationships, and he spent his life fostering those connections.”
As Keugel noted in closing, Kamuf lived by a simple philosophy: “You only live once in life, but if you live it right, once is enough.”
