Rodney Louis Kempkes

Rodney Kempkes Obituary

Rodney Louis Kempkes

November 3, 1951 - December 17, 2023

Rodney Louis Kempkes, age 72, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2023, at the lake house he built in Fremont, NE, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with ALS.

Rod was born in Lincoln, NE, on November 3, 1951, to William and Sylvia Kempkes. He graduated from Lincoln Northeast in 1971. On July 1, 1972, he married his high-school sweetheart, Doris. They had two children, Renee and Jess. Rod worked at National Crane for 32 years and Lincoln Machine for 14 years. Rod retired in 2018 to the lake house in Fremont, NE, that he built for Doris and his family to enjoy. He was a lifetime member of the Observed Trials Club MWTA in which he enjoyed camping and spending time with his family and friends.

Rod is survived by his wife of 51 years, Doris; daughter, Renee (Daryl) Baier; son, Jess (Afton) Kempkes; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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Published by Lincoln Journal Star on Jan. 13, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Rodney Kempkes

11 Entries

Joyce Reighard

January 20, 2024

To Doris and family, it is so hard to find the words to say how sorry I am that Ron is gone. Brother Marty wrote a beautiful message that says so much about what a great person, friend and family man Rod was. We all have so many beautiful memories and will cherish them forever.
Gone but not forgotten.

Dave Zornes

January 20, 2024

First met Rod back in 84 At a MWTA Trials event. He was one of the upper class riders. This man will take time to talk to you about your bike set up he knew his stuff. Also, I rode against Doris when I first started. what a couple these two are meant for each other. for Maggie and I. so many memories over the last 40 years with Rod, Doris and the kids. What a machinist Rod help me out many times building parts for my bikes and I still run several. One memory that stands out riding against Rod 2001 it went down to December Trials last section. For the win also to be number one in sportsman class. For the year and he beat me. You will be missed by so many. Godspeed Bro !!

Chad Ebben

January 17, 2024

My condolences to your family in this time.

Vicki Reagan Rollf

January 16, 2024

Our prayers an thoughts go out to the Kempkes family,

Kristi Holmes

January 16, 2024

So sorry to hear about Rod he is in our prayers an thoughts. So many fun memories! Don an Kristi Holmes

Marty Reighard

January 14, 2024

I´m so sad, Rod was truly a special great friend. He was always there for me and countless others when we needed him. It´s very difficult to know he´s no longer physically with us. My friendship with Rod and Doris goes way back to High School in Lincoln. Although we went to different schools, we became great buddies at our parents lake Properties in Fremont Nebraska. Summers weekends at the Lake gave way to Motorcycles, Skiing, sneaking into the local Drive in on our first motorcycles with our girlfriends and countless memories way too numerous to go into here,

Rod and Doris were meant to be together. Their love and dedication to each other was timeless and I can´t remember them not being together.

Rod was such a giving person that always at least in my memory kept things calm and laid back, I loved the conversations we had and one of my favorite things about him was he never really worried about life but seemed to always take it as it came. His gifts were boundless, I always said Rod should have gone to work at NASA because he really was a Rocket scientist!

I know the last 3 year were beyond difficult for him, but he faced his situation with strength and his ever present optimism. Doris, you are a living Saint and your constant efforts to love and care for Rod are indescribable. He was so blessed to have been with you all of these years. Doris, he will always be with you, you know that.

Jess and Renee, our hearts and prayers go out to you both. Your Dad was "One of a Kind" and you just know always that he loved you so much. Jess, I´ll bet that when your new little boy Maverick is able to walk, he´ll take after his grandpa and you will see him ride the motorized unicycle, just like Grandpa.

As for me. I look forward to the day I ride the first Trials section in heaven and as I cross the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, Rod will be there to score me and tell me I really didn´t need that last dab!

I´ll miss you friend,

Marty

Marty

January 14, 2024