Paul Kemp

Paul Ira Kemp

February, 3, 1948 - December 8, 2025

Paul Ira Kemp, 77, died December 8, 2025 at the Saint Therese at St. Odilia in Shoreview, Minnesota. Paul was born February 3, 1948 in Brooklyn, New York, to William and Catherine (Kitty) (Leibstein) Kemp. Close friends were with him during his last days.

Paul started taking piano lessons at an early age from a well-known, European piano teacher. Because of this training and his love of music, Paul eventually became a piano tuner, a profession that he practiced for 25 years. Paul graduated from Parsons School of Design with a BA in new product design. While at Parsons, he worked with one of his teachers designing products for companies such as Revlon and Wrigley's.

In the 1970s, Paul moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was hired as a teacher of creative design at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. He also taught at the School of Associated Arts in Saint Paul.

Paul worked on special new product projects for General Mills, as well as freelance graphic design clients.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brother; aunts; and uncles. Paul is survived by close, caring friends, Dr. Linda Maach; Bante Mokonnen; Susan Lasley; and cousins on his mother's side of the family.

A special thanks to the staff at United Hospital in Saint Paul, and the hospice staff at Saint Therese at St. Odilia in Shoreview for the wonderful care they gave Paul during his last days.

Graveside service 11:00 AM WEDNESDAY, December 10th at Minneapolis Jewish Cemetery, 7032 Penn Avenue South, Richfield.