Charles Kemper

CHUCK KEMPER Click here to view video of Chuck's life Test IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Charles Amel "Chuck" Kemper, 72, of Idaho Falls, died January 30, 2008, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his family. He was born August 6, 1935, at Rochelle, Illinois, to Jefferson Martin Kemper and Caroline Bresson Kemper. He grew up and attended schools in the area and in 1953 graduated from high school in Steward, Illinois. He continued his education by attending Northern Illinois University and in 1957 obtained a Bachelor's Degree in teaching Science. In 1959, he earned a Master's Degree from Illinois Wesleyan. Later he attended the University of Michigan, where he took advanced chemistry courses. On August 10, 1957, he married Gail Huffaker in Lincoln, Illinois. He taught high school Math and Science for 10 years at Kaneland High School in Maple Park, Illinois, worked as an engineer for Electronics Research Company in Lenexa, Kansas, from 1967 to 1972, and for Intel Corporation in San Jose, California, from 1972 to 1977. In 1977, he and his wife purchased Queen Bee, an aerial application business at the Rigby Airport. He began spraying in 1978, and then in 1993 started flying fire bombers. He continued flying until last spring and had a total of 17,000 hours of flying time. During that time he was also a dealer for Air Tractor. He was a member of the National Agricultural Aviation Association, AOPA, and the Idaho Agricultural Aviation Association. He enjoyed reading, photography, traveling, golfing, and skiing. Survivors include: Wife: Gail Kemper, Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: Ellen (Joe McKenzie) Kemper, Craig, AK Daughter: Barbara (Rick) Kemper-Nolan, Dallas, TX Son: Chip (Mary) Kemper, Idaho Falls, ID Brother: Daryl (Mary) Kemper, Litchfield Park, AZ Brother: Jim (JoAnna) Kemper, Compton, IL Brother: Jeff Kemper, Dixon, IL Sister: Rosemary (Ed) Duffy, Ohio, IL Sister: Dorothy (David) Snow, Woodinville, WA 11 Grandchildren & 4 Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Phyllis Kemper. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 2, 2008, at the Idaho Falls First Presbyterian Church, 325 Elm Street, with Pastor Jonathan Mitchell officiating. The family will visit with friends on Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge, and for one half hour at the church prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations being made to the American Cancer Society, 2676 S. Vista, Boise, ID 83705 or the American Red Cross, 404 S. 8th Street Suite 232, Boise, ID 83702. ------------------------------------ Condolences received online: Brian & Shari Kinniburgh & Family brian@foxcouleeaviation.com Dear Gail & Family: Our family was deeply saddened to learn of Chuck's health issues and recent passing. He was a very well respected friend to the entire Kinniburgh clan. He will be missed and our thought's and prayers are with your family at this very difficult time. Madeline & Emil Bunjes madeline.bunjes@aiminvestments.com Gail: I am so sorry to hear that Chuck has passed away. I actually thought he was doing better and regret that I did not get in touch with you sooner. Love, Mad Lee & Pam Sauer pamsauer@hotmailcom Dear Gail and Chip, Pam and I want to express our respect and appreciation for your family. We consider you as close friends and have appreciated your confidence and trust in the years that have elapsed since our first meeting in 1977. Presently we are in Baton Rouge, Louisiana managing a mission office for the LDS Church. In spite of the distance we want to express our love and sympathy. Love, Lee & Pam Sauer Terry Kofoed tk4driver@msn.com Please accept my deepest condolences. Rigby Airport owes him our gratitude for all he has done for the airport and local aviation over these many years. Vi Bailey (Viola Fuehring ) vibailey@msn.com So sorry to hear, I am going to be going thru the same thing -- my husband, Jim, is in 4th stage lung cancer. Write if you want to and have time later on. Trudy and Gaylen Denning Gail and family, we were very sorry to hear about Chuck. Please know that our thoughts are with you. Sincerely, Trudy and Gaylen Kim Chesnovar Chuck will be missed by all who knew him. He always had a joke or a funny story. Terry and I enjoyed knowing him. Are thoughts are with all of you. Kim and Terry chesnovar Madeline & Emil Bunjes madeline.bunjes@aiminvestments.com Gail and family: What a wonderful video of your dad and his lovely family. His love for you and his love for flying are so apparent. Our prayers are with you. Madeline Ronald H Raymond rbears44@yahoo.com Gail & Family My prayers and thoughts with you all. God bless and be comforted in having a great husband and father. Always -- Ron "Bear" Marty Neitzel [aneitzel@insightbb.com] Gail, I wish to offer you my sincere sympathy to you and your family. I have just reviewed the video of your husband and your family. You are blessed to have such a great family and to have had such a dear man for your husband. We are all unsure of the Good Lord's request for us. May the good Lord help you in this most difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Marty (Newman) Neitzel Ellen (Wobig) Lawrence elawrence@pipalanderson.com Wanted to give my condolences to Gail and family. Chuck was a great boss, friend, and always made you feel part of the family. Who ever he has met along the way Chuck always left a part of him in there heart. Jeff and Kami Shadley jnkshd@ida.net Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time. We have gotten to know Chip and Mary recently and wanted to you all to know how very sorry to hear of Chuck's passing. Denise Matthews leven@primus.com.au Dear Gail Just wanted to say how sorry we are to hear of Chuck's passing. We met you 8 years ago when we visited from down under (Australia) and it was really lovely to meet you both and spend time with Chuck. We are thinking of you all at this time and our hearts are with you. Take care. Love, Denise Matthews and family JoAnn James Cregier jacregier@yahoo.com Mr. Kemper was my sophomore geometry teacher at Elburn High School. He was a terrific teacher, and I remember him very fondly. I passed the information on to the Class of 1960. Please accept my sympathies. Judy Leifheit Scheibly Mr. Kemper was my freshman algebra teacher in 1957 in Maple Park. I remember when his first child was born. I also worked at James Knights in Sandwich during college when he worked there. He was such a good teacher. So sorry to hear of his passing. Sharon & Don Schowengerdt slsdes@aol.com Gail and Family: Don and I were so saddened to get the notice of Chuck's death. I knew you had written at Christmas that he wasn't well, but we are so sorry his death came so soon. We have many fun memories of our Overland Park days and I have a picture at the Leighton's Halloween party where we all dressed up. We want to thank you for sharing the memorial with us. We want to express our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Larry Leighton theleightons@sbcglobal.net Gail, I was shocked and sorry to hear about Chuck. I have fond memories of the good times in Oak Park . . . bridge and backyard picnics. You have a tough few months ahead of you. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. Rhonna Moffitt Hemm rmhemm@charter.net Dear Gail and family, I was so sad to here of Chuck's passing. I always enjoyed reading your Christmas letter when we were in Kaneville for the holidays. It was always such a nice way to keep up with the Kemper Kids. I have such fond memories not only of the kids, but also of you and "Mr. Kemper". He was a wonderful chemistry teacher who made learning fun. He was also quite a practical joker. I will never forget the time Donna Erickson and I were camping in our backyard. Our tent was blankets over the clothesline. My Dad had run electricity out to the tent so we could have a light and our precious radio. Soon after we turned in, but before we were sound asleep, a monster came scratching around the tent and scared the living daylights out of us. It was Mr. Kemper and he was delighted with the reaction he got. We told everyone at school and thought we were the coolest. After all we had gotten attention from a pretty cool teacher. I am sure he is still playing practical jokes even now. I hope your wonderful memories and your family will sustain you and bring you peace. With great affection, Rhonna John Feece jfeece@sierra-mgt.com Gail and family Rosalie and I are so very sorry for your (our) loss. As you know Chuck and I go back all the way to my junior year in high school. He was always an inspiration in my life as a pilot and I can still recall our many talks about flying. His enthusiasm was infectious and motivated me to continue with my career in aviation when at times it seemed like to much. I will miss him. John Roy Rempe (Ag Pilot) royr93@superiorinet.net My sincere condolences to the Kemper Family. I have the distinction of having first "met" Chuck (and Chip)via aircraft to aircraft radio, but I didn't get to actually shake his hand until I bought an airplane from him sometime later. And what a handshake! What a comedian! What a guy! To describe him by words would be impossible, but I think "Unforgettable" is about as close as I can get even though that's a terrible understatement. He shall certainly be missed! Roy Rempe -Ag Pilot Superior, NE