David F. Kempf
With his family by his side, David
F. Kempf, 71, of Fond du Lac, passed away peacefully
after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis on Monday, March 12,
2018.
David was born
February 11, 1947 in Fond du Lac to Francis “Corky” and Virginia “Ginny”
(Immel) Kempf. Growing up David was an avid athlete and was involved in
numerous sports including speed skating, high school track (hurdles), water
skiing, baseball, and softball.
Shortly after his
graduation from Goodrich High School in 1966, David was drafted by
the United States Army to serve in Vietnam. Dave was a Combat
Engineer (Explosives) in Vietnam from March of 1967 – March 1968. After
returning from Vietnam, he spent the remainder of his service with the army as
a water athletics instructor at West Point Military Academy in New York.
David started his employment at Mercury
Marine in 1969 where he was a machinist for 39 years until his
retirement. During this time he also worked part time at the Copper
Kettle in Fond du Lac for 25 years.
He was an avid
sportsman, liked hunting and fishing, playing cribbage, poker and hickory nut
picking. He enjoyed watching the birds
eat from his numerous feeders. David was
a member of many clubs, including the Elks Club, Eagles Club, American Legion,
Copper Kettle Snowmobile Club, and the Forrest Gun Club.
He is survived by
the love of his life and best friend, Rose Cleveland; his children: Adam (Sada)
Kempf and Sarah Davis; two grandsons: Joel and Owen Davis; his former wife,
Mary (Olson) Alaniz; four siblings: Keith Amidon, Judy (Kempf) Hall, Susan
Kempf, and Linda (Robert) Theyerl; and nine nieces and nephews. David loved to be surrounded by both family
and friends. Jim Behnke, Miles Mertens, Joe Enders, Chris Buslee, the Copper
Kettle gang, and the D&D gang will all miss his humor, wit and charm.
He was preceded in death by his father,
mother and one brother, William Amidon.
VISITATION: Friends may call
on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, from 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel,
31 East Division Street, Fond du Lac.
FUNERAL: A tribute to David’s
life will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. at Kurki-Mach
Funeral Chapel. Trier-Puddy American
Legion Post #75 will conduct military services at the chapel. Inurnment will be at a later date at Rienzi
Cemetery.
The family asks that you make
a toast to enduring life-long friendships with David in your thoughts. Memorials will be given to Agnesian Hospice.
Special thanks to Larry and
the Agnesian Hospice staff for their care and concern shown to David and family.
Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving
the family, www.kurkimachfuneralchapel.com.