Robert L. Kemper

Robert Lee Kemper, 90, of Columbia, MO, passed away May 30, 2016, at his home with his loving family at his side. Funeral service will be 2pm Thursday June 2, 2016, at Memorial Funeral Home, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Military honor and Entombment at Memorial Funeral Home.

Robert was born October 10, 1925 in a farmhouse in Hallsville, MO to Smith and Ethel Kemper. As his Dad liked to move, the family moved 25 times from house to house while Robert was growing up! Robert graduated from Hickman High School in 1943. In February 1944, he proudly went into the Navy, completing Boot Camp in Farragut, ID. He served on the U.S. Washington and was stationed on Pearl Harbor before sailing on the Prometheus and being stationed on the Island Peleliu for 14 months. He recently received the Quilt of Valor from the American Legion for his service. He loved his family, friends, and country.

On November 20, 1949 he married Betty McAlpin at Calvary Baptist Church. In 1951 daughter Karen Lea was born, followed by her brothers John David, Robert Wayne, and Bruce Smith. Robert worked for the U.S. Postal Service from 1951 as a city mail carrier, then a rural route carrier, retiring in 1981. He then worked for Columbia Public Schools as a mail and package carrier, retiring in 1995. Robert was a hard worker, without complaining. He enjoyed building and built their home on Brown Station Rd., as well as their cabin on the Osage River in Warsaw, MO.

Robert is survived by his wife Betty, daughter Karen Wingert-Bornhauser (Sam) of Columbia, sons John of Des Moines, IA, Bob (Trudy) of Mokane, MO, and Bruce (Jojie) of Las Cruces, NM. Six grandsons, Jason Wingert (Heather), Ken, Bryan, K.C., Konrad, and Smith Kemper; two granddaughters Jen Wingert and Laney Kemper; and great-grandson Reid Wingert; sister-in-law Elizabeth, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Don, his sister and brother-in-law Catherine and Frank Douglas, his two great friends Norm Davidson and Tom Stone.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars 1509 Ashley Street, Columbia, MO 65201 and Columbia Senior Center 1121 I-70 Business Loop, Columbia, MO 65201.