Alvin Charles Kempainen

Salo Location

Alvin C.A. Kempainen, 87, a resident of Salo Location passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 18, 2023, at his home.

Al was born on September 11, 1936, on the family farm, which is now the location of the Houghton County Airport. He was the fifth of six children born to the late John and Mayme (Heikkinen) Kempainen.

He graduated from Dollar Bay High School in 1954 and attended Michigan Tech University and graduated in 1959 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He had a remarkable career, working for General Electric in Cincinnati, OH and Syracuse, NY, followed by AC Spark Plug in Oak Creek, WI. While at AC Spark Plug, he worked on the guidance system for the Apollo missions to the moon.

Mr. Kempainen then worked for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI, designing and planning assembly lines for new models. He returned to the Upper Peninsula as an engineer for White Pine Mines before accepting a position at Michigan Tech in Facilities Management. Between 1976 and his retirement in 1998, he oversaw many of the modern buildings on the Michigan Tech campus, including the Student Development Complex Phase 2, the Arts and Humanities Building, the Minerals and Materials Engineering Building, The Dow Building, the Dean Harold Meese Building and the Rosza Center.

On June 14, 1958, he was united in marriage to the former Elizabeth "Betty" Lindstrom.  On July 18, 2020, Betty preceded Alvin in death. 

Besides his parents, Al was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his siblings, Edith (Robert) Gariepy, Eldon, Alice (Donald) Niemi, infant Ruth and his son-in-law Daniel O'Brien.

He is survived by his children Janet O’Brien, Ann (William) Willmer and Alan Kempainen, grandson Wesley (Jaime) Corey,  7 additional  grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and a brother David (Arlene) Kempainen.

Among the great joys in his life were hunting and fishing with his son and grandsons and providing toys for the kids and grandkids, including snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles. There was nothing Al couldn’t fix, from cars to building his own homes.

A funeral service for Alvin will take place at 12 noon on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock with Rev. Brahm Semmler-Smith and Rev. Matthew Rose to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Waasa Cemetery.  

Friends may call on Saturday from 10 am until the time of the funeral service at the church.

In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials can be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock.

To view this obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.