JOHN KEMPF

John Kempf, 88, passed away on December 29, 2020 in Cary, IL, surrounded by his family. The longtime executive chef was a nearly 50-year resident of Wauconda, IL. Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Verna (nee Reichert), he is survived by his children, Cristi Kempf, John (Dawn) Kempf, and Kelly Kempf; his adored grandchildren, Christiana, Anthony, and Dominic Kempf; his brothers, Gerald Kempf and Richard Kempf and sister, Linda (Ronald) Rybarczyk; and many nieces and nephews. His sister, Esther Levindofske and brothers, Daniel Kempf and Eugene Kempf also preceded him in death. John was born in 1932 in Buffalo, NY, and grew up in Hamburg NY, where he was a star athlete at Hamburg High School. He attended Marquette University and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. He also served in the Marines during the Korean War. His career took him to many locations throughout the United States and he cooked for many famous people including John Kennedy (while he was campaigning for president in Wisconsin), New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, and President Gerald Ford. After working in Milwaukee, including at the Shorecrest Hotel, he moved to the East Coast, where he taught at the Culinary Institute when it was in New Haven, CT, and worked in food service at the State University of New York at Albany before joining the Hyatt Hotels Corp. Still with Hyatt, he moved his family to the Chicago area as he began a long stint as executive chef at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. After leaving Hyatt, he worked at country clubs including Knollwood in Lake Forest and was also general manager at the American Club in Kohler, WI. He was a member of various culinary organizations including The Honorable Order of the Golden Toque. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Illinois and New York. A Private Interment will be at Windridge Memorial Park in Cary on January 5, 2021. Sign the guest book at www.kisselburgwaucondafuneralhome.com.