Hank Bertelkamp, a three-year letter winner for the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team, passed away peacefully Friday morning at his home in Knoxville, surrounded by his loving family.
A native of Louisville, Ky., Bertelkamp competed for the Volunteers from 1950-53, averaging 8.9 points per game. He served as the team captain as a senior in 1952-53 and produced 14.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
Born on Oct. 5, 1931, Bertelkamp was the second-oldest living Tennessee basketball letter winner at the time of his passing, at 94 years of age. The Bertelkamp name is synonymous with Tennessee basketball and in the Knoxville community for myriad reasons.
Hank’s son, Bert, played for Tennessee from 1976-80, earning a starting role for three years and appearing in 110 games. Bert helped Tennessee win the 1976-77 SEC title and holds the program’s NCAA Tournament single-game assists record with 16 in 1980. He later worked as the Vol Network radio analyst for 26 seasons before his retirement after the 2024-25 season.
Hank and Bert together established in August 2004 the Bertelkamp Basketball Scholarship Endowment Fund, which remains active to this day. Sophomore guard Bishop Boswellis the recipient of the endowment in 2025-26.
Furthermore, the men’s basketball offices at Food City Center are named in Hank’s honor. The dedication featured a ceremony in the office and a recognition at a game, both in December 2011.
Hank (founder and chairman) and Bert (president) operate Bertelkamp Automation, Inc., a Knoxville-based industrial automation solutions provider, at which Bert’s son, Hank, also works. The company, helmed by the Bertelkamp family, is active in the community, giving back through the United Way of Greater Knoxville, the McNabb Center and other local charities.
