Walter "Bud" Kemper III

Kemper, Walter III "Bud", entered into Eternal rest on Friday, May 13, 2022.

Beloved husband of Rhoda G. Kemper (nee Hoffmann). He is preceded in death by his first wife, Maryann Kemper (nee Wardlaw). Loving father of Sherri (Sean) Cross, Molly Kemper, Diane (Douglas) Pierce, Mike (Cathy) Kemper and Lori (Larry) Willbrand. Proud grandfather of Rian (Jen) Kientzle, Brent Haddock, Kelly Gillen, Jeffrey (Kelsy) Haddock, Brian (Madi) Willbrand, Kurt Willbrand, Kyle Gillen, Grant Willbrand, Kate Kientzle, Elizabeth Willbrand, Joshua Kemper, Zachary Pierce and the late Mary Kientzle. Proud great grandfather of Avery Willbrand, Elise Willbrand, Roman Haddock, Mila Willbrand-Wooten and Remy Haddock. Dearest brother of Jack (Carolyn) Kemper, the late Robert (Rosann) Kemper and the late Patricia (the late Oliver) Oertle. Dear brother-in-law of Dick (Rose) Duly and the late Ronald (Shirley) Hoffmann. Dear uncle, cousin and friend of many.

Born in St. Louis to the late Walter Jr. and the late Ruby (nee Patrick) Kemper, Bud exhibited in early childhood a strong capacity to draw and an ear for music. With the support and encouragement of his family and his high school music teachers, Bud received formal art training at Washington University School of Fine Arts earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration. He served in the United States Army and upon completion of military service, enrolled at the University of Kansas where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting. His creative talents never went unnoticed. He has been a commercial artist for major art studios in St. Louis, art director, freelance illustrator, graphic designer, portrait and fine art painter and teacher.

With over fifty years of practice and teaching, Bud has become a master painter of amazing versatility, His paintings, illustrations and portraits are represented in numerous private and corporate collections both in the United States and internationally. His work has received national recognition including, as a member of the Society of Illustrators, seven national merit awards. He has created works for Anheuser Busch, AT&T, Audi, Buick, Canon, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Coors, Exxon, General Dynamics, General Motors, L.L. Bean, Maritz Inc., Nissan, Philip Morris and Volvo.

Bud Kemper's paintings continue to reflect an expression of giving evidence of Art to Life. Some of his paintings may convey a quiet but subtle introspection while other work will engage the viewer in a more direct absorption or a story or emotional conclusion. The viewer may well interpret each painting through his own life's experiences and personal history; never the less, the goal is to reveal through a truly visual involvement a "living in the moment" experience that hopefully creates a feeling of joy, contentment, respect, wisdom and grace. Bud adheres to a precept of the inspiring teacher, Robert Henri, that "all real works of art look as though they were done in joy," therefore, "paint like a man going over the top of a hill, singing." May the footprints from that singing soul be mine.

Services: A memorial celebration of life for Bud will be held at Manchester United Methodist Church, 129 Woods Mill Road, Manchester, MO 63011 on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Manchester United Methodist Church Chancel/Coventry Choirs.