Bernard Vincent "Bud" Kempf

1931 - 2014

Bernard "Bud" Vincent Kempf, 82 of Boonville passed away on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Monday, June 23, 2014 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 322 Seventh Street, Boonville, Missouri. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Burial will be at 3:00 pm on Monday, June 23, 2014 at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery with Full Military Honors located at 1479 County Road 1675, Jacksonville, MO.
Bud was born on December 4, 1931 in Pilot Grove, Missouri to Hubert & Anne Meyer Kempf. Bud married his lifelong sweetheart, Yvonne Addie on December 23, 1953 in Portland, Oregon. He served our country faithfully in the United States Air Force. After returning from the Air Force, Bud opened his own business, Kempf Plumbing and Heating. Bud was on the Boonville City Council for 17 years and also served as the Mayor of Boonville for 12 years.
Bud was a member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, Boonville Booster Club, the VFW, 40 & 8 American Legion Chef De Gare, and the Boy Scouts Order of the Arrow.
He recently participated in the Honor Flight to Washington, DC. Bud was passionate about his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the City of Boonville. Bud was always committed to the betterment of our community.
During the time he was mayor he made numerous contributions to the growth and economic development of the city including securing the casino development and enhancing the riverfront. This has served as a catalyst for many of the community projects since that time. He was a proponent of developing city amenities to improve the quality of life and recreational activities for all. During his tenure land was purchased for the Rolling Hills Park. A park that today is enjoyed by many year round and will soon bear his name, "Bud Kempf Boulevard". He was instrumental in collaborating with the State of Missouri and private investors to capitalize on the Katy Trail through the city and across the river. His many other accomplishments and improvements for the city of Boonville are too numerous to list, but he believed the real strength of Boonville was not in its streets or businesses but in her people. He wore his community on his sleeve and brag about her constantly. He never met a stranger but if he met you for the first time he talked to you about how great a city he was from. He believed it was vitally important to listen to the will of the people he served. He listened closely to the needs of all, rich or poor, young or old, black or white. He was the peoples' mayor. He fought tirelessly for the city and people he loved. He will be greatly missed.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Wayne Kempf, two sisters, Shirley Waibel & Imogene Kempf.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Yvonne, 2 sons and their wives, Dr. Jeffrey & Dr. Ellen Kempf and Rick & Anna Kempf, a daughter and her husband, Jane Ann & Steve Brengarth, 2 brothers and their wives, Robert & Patricia Kempf and Larry & Sherry Kempf, a sister, Millie Brickner, 4 grandsons, Rhett Brengarth, Seth Brengarth, Benjamin Kempf and Brit Brengarth, 6 granddaughters, Megan Brengarth, Emily Kempf, Elizabeth Kempf, Ashley Stewart, Heidi Ritchey and Erin Kempf, 3 great-grandsons, Canton Kempf, Brady Brengarth and Connlann Stewart, and 3 great-granddaughters, Bailee Kempf-Miller, Emma Brengarth, and Isabelle Bray.
Memorial donations may be made to the Central Missouri Honor Flight, 1400 Forum Drive, Suite 1C, Box 334, Columbia, Missouri 65203 or The Katy Bridge Coalition, PO Box 265, Boonville, Missouri 65233.