J. Richard 'Dick' Kemper

FORT MEYERS, FLA - J. Richard \"Dick\" Kemper, died on Monday, Oct. 11, 2010, at HospiceCare, in Madison. He was born on Dec. 17, 1912, in Richmond, Ind., to O. A. Kemper and Grace Knollenberg Kemper. He had three sisters. Dick graduated from Earlham College in Richmond, and the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor, Mich. At Michigan, he met Elizabeth \"Betty\" Whitney of Cleveland, Ohio, whom he married in 1940. They lived in Richmond until he was drafted in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe until World War II ended in 1945. Returning to Richmond, he practiced law and served one term as county judge. The final years of his working life, he was a law book editor for Lawyers Coop Publishing in Rochester, N.Y. Dick and Betty retired to Fort Meyers, Fla., where they enjoyed fishing, golf, canoeing, and travel. He continued to live there after Betty died in 1991. Dick was a man of great intellect and wonderful humor. He loved to joke and laugh. A natural athlete, he adored baseball and was still playing golf at age 96. Dick is survived by his daughters, Virginia K. Bessert and Katherine E. Kemper; granddaughter, Hannah Bessert; and great-granddaughter, Gabriella Bessert-Limon; all of Madison, as well as nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a future date. Burial will be in Richmond, Ind. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army. The family thanks the staff at Madison HospiceCare for their excellent care. In Florida, we thank Janet Rogers, Geraldine Livingston, and the rest of the Health Force staff for their years of loving care to Dick. We thank his wonderful neighbors, Bill and Shirley Riddle and Ginjer, Bill, Conner, and Hannah Fassold who \"adopted\" him and brought him joy. Good night sweet prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. (Hamletone of Dicks favorites!) Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army. Cemetery: Burial will be in Richmond, Ind. Service: A memorial service will be held at a future date.