Dr. Walter F. Kempe Jr.

Dr. Walter F. Kempe Jr.

November 6, 1930 - June 16, 2023

Walter F. Kempe Jr., fondly known as Doc, Dub, or Walt, was born in 1930 to Walter and Pauline Kempe and passed from this world on June 16, 2023 at 92. He graduated from Hutchinson High School, Hutchinson Jr. College, and went to Kansas State University. Doc graduated from medical school at the Osteopathic College in Kansas City. While at Osteopathic college, he and a fellow student lived and worked at The Salvation Army, taking care of the residents.

During his internship at Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital he met the love of his life, Cherry Natalie McDonald. Her nephew Jeff was a patient at the hospital and Cherry was staying by Jeff's side. The young intern found a reason to introduce himself to her, and they were married on June 21, 1959 and shared 53 years together until Cherry's passing in 2013.

Dub was a hard worker and started his first job at age 6. He bought a Model T at 14 and painted it yellow with purple polka dots. To help finance his education he worked in HV/AC, on a farm, for Cessna building airplanes, etc., plus he spent time in the Army Reserve.

Music was important to Walter, and he played the trombone and baritone horn in various bands, including a circus band! These gigs were part of the way he paid for his education. He was an avid fan and collector of Big Band Jazz. His favorite artist was Stan Kenton and His Orchestra, and he later became Mr. Kenton's physician.

Dr. Kempe began his medical practice in 1957 in a house in southwest Tulsa across the street from Robertson Elementary School. In 1962, Walter built his own clinic, The Southwest Clinic, where he practiced for many years and became a beloved part of the community. Later he practiced at Utica Park Clinic on Union Ave. He attempted to retire in 2003 but that only lasted one month. He returned to medicine at Calorie Counter in Owasso until 2015 when he retired permanently.

Walt was a strong supporter of Tulsa, especially the west side and stayed involved in the community almost until his passing. Over the years he performed hundreds of sports physicals for members of the Blue T Club and Webster athletes. He was a member of the SW Tulsa Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow, recipient. He served 19 years on the boards of: the Westside YMCA, Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital/TRMC/OSU Medical Center, and Tulsa's Board of Health, for a time, as it's chair. Also, he was on Moton's Board. At one point, he was "Doctor of the Year," of Tulsa Regional Medical Center. Kempe was an adjunct professor at OSU Osteopathic College, and for 19 years was on Community State Bank's board.

Additionally he was a board member of the Southwest Tulsans. Dear to his heart was his involvement with Tulsa's Route 66 Village, and the Southwest Tulsa Historical Society. At Christmas Doc rang the bell for the Salvation Army, and through Tulsa Medical Reserve Corps he helped survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Walter said he was most proud that he quit smoking.

Walter's many interests were fly fishing, photography, and electronics, building even a color TV, and a microwave. Dub was a genealogy buff who loved his family, pets and grandpets. He was a voracious reader and, even when legally blind, read with the aid of a magnifying device. Each day he read all of the newspaper, but confessed he skipped the want ads, now! He had a wonderful sense of humor, preferring puns, corny jokes, and funny stories. He cared about, and was genuinely interested in people. He loved his community and his community loved him. He had a life well lived.

Walter is survived by his beloved daughter Paula Marie Kempe, niece Paula Kathleen Reynolds (Gene), their daughter Laura Arbetello (Micheal), their children Adam and Katherine, niece Stephanie Patton and cousins Sue Kubik (Dave), and Amy Moore (D.). He was much loved and will always be remembered by his many friends, colleagues and patients.

To donate in Walter's memory, please mail to: Osteopathic Founder's Foundation, 8801 S. Yale Ave. Tulsa, OK 74137