Alan H. Kempner Jr.

Alan H. Kempner Jr. Alan H. Kempner Jr. was a loving husband, father, and friend. He was a soft-spoken gentleman of the old school; he was a man of articulate actions. He displayed his love for his family and friends everyday; with perceptive caring insights, shared humor, or moral support when needed. He was bright, well educated, and handsome; yet sincerely unpretentious. He enjoyed and cared for people from all walks of life and his friendships had no material bounds. Alan was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 26, 1922. He was the eldest of Alan Horace and Margaret Loeb Kempner's three sons; Alan, Carl, and Thomas. He was raised in New York and completed his degree in chemistry at Ohio Wesleyan. He served in the Navy during World War II. He came to Arizona in 1958 to attend Arizona State University where he completed his course work for a PHD in psychology. Alan was passionate about sports. He was an all-star halfback at Lawrenceville and a southpaw pitcher for Wesleyan. He was an accomplished tennis player but fell in love with golf. He always looked forward to the weekly reunion of his foursome and was delighted when he recently nit the ultimate shot, a hole-in-one. Beneath his even-tempered demeanor was a fervent, curious mind and the variety of his careers is a mere sampling of his interests: chicken farming in Connecticut, advertising executive, practicing psychologist, producer of children's television programs, plastics manufacturer, author of several books, realtor, and prudent investor. Alan was a conscientious citizen and a stalwart Republican. He ardently expressed his concerns in frequent letters to the editor and received the Golden Pen Award for the quality of his contributions. He was a patron of the arts and a major fundraiser for the fledgling Stagebrush Theatre. He generously donated his time every week to both the Red Cross and to making deliveries for Meals on Wheels. He was a founding member of a charades group that met for over 35 years. Alan battled cancer for 16 years with dignity and grace. He passed away in his home surrounded by those who loved him on June 18, 2004. His humor and wisdom will be dearly missed by his family. He is survived by his wife Rosemary Kempner; his brother Thomas Kempner and his wife Nan; his sons John Randel and Alan Kempner; his daughter Nancy Harlow; his daughter-in-law Cynthia Kempner; his sister-in-law Doris Kempner; his grandchildren Ashley Kempner, Matthew Harlow, and Buck Kempner; and his friend of over 55 years, Sandra Kempner. A memorial service will be held on July 10, 2004, at 10:00 AM in the chapel of the Valley Presbyterian Church. Donations in Alan's memory can be made to Hospice of the Valley, Red Cross, and Meals on Wheels. Arrangements by Messinger Indian School Mortuary.