John Edward Kemp

When I was young and naive and looking for a job, Jack took me under his wing. He showed me that private practice was WAY better than the Ivory Tower. My recruitment interview consisted of sitting on the balcony of the green barn where he lived and drinking generic beer while watching the sun go down behind the Olympics. I was hooked on the Jack Kemp way of life. Indeed, the world is a better place because of Jack.

I had the honor of serving with Jack in DaNang 46 years ago with the Marines. What a talented and professional gas man he was. So many middle-aged and elderly Marines are alive today because of his extraordinary talent in the operating room. Jack was always the first to volunteer his time to help with the cleft lip and cleft palate cases that I did on these little Vietnamese children when we had a break from casualty care. His compassion with these beautiful kids helped change their lives...

This is a photo of John from one of our last high school reunions and he was also a speaker at the dinner. It was a great weekend of sailing, good food and some drinking and telling of old high school stories. I knew John since we were infants since our parents were friends and also sat next to him in the band. He will be sorely missed at the 75th birthday party in Michigan City this October. I'm sure he's around in spirit.

Met Jack far from home, but his memory stayed ever close; it was a great pleasure to have known him.

Kathy, Jenny and Allyson,
It has taken me quite a while to absorb the shock of the loss of your Dad. You know that your Mom & Dad and Charlie & I were friends from Medical School. What wonderful times we shared with two wonderful folks. Your Dad always stopped to visit us whenever he was back in Indiana and it was always such a delight to see him. We could always count on "having fun" when he was around. From Dinglers to our sailing trip up in the San Juan Islands, to the Indy 500...

I have many memories of working with Dr. Kemp in the OR at St.Clare. Just cannot find the words to express shock at the news of his passing. We will miss him.