Paul Kempf

On Friday, October 2, 2020, Paul Robert Kempf, MAJ. USAF Ret. whom many have known as “PK”, passed away at the age of 80; after bravely and spiritedly navigating a life challenged by severe, early onset dementia for a little over 5 years. His four children, Angela, Robert, Elena, and Becky were nearby as he passed from this world to the next.

Bob, as many others knew him, was born in Pontiac, MI on November 10, 1939. He was raised in Pontiac and graduated high school there, where he played football. He joined the United States Air Force shortly after graduating high school and was trained as a jet mechanic. After completing the required amount of college credit (at the time) he qualified for Officer Candidacy and trained as a Navigator and went on to complete his 20 years as an officer, serving during the Cuban Missle Crises and Viet Nam War and the beginning of the Cold War. Maj. Paul Robert Kempf, Ret., was the proud recipient of many medals and awards for his service.

He met and married Tina M. LaRosa while he was in training at Biloxi AFB, MS and they moved to a few different places during his military career; finally assigned to Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, LA. They lived in nearby Haughton where they finished raising their four children. After retirement from the military he was a business owner and, in fact, started doing carpentry and building projects even before retiring from the USAF. After several years he moved to Hot Springs, AR, where his parents had retired, and lived and worked there until he developed debilitating dementia.

“PK” loved golfing, bowling, playing cards, throwing darts, designing and building, working crossword puzzles in ink, including the daunting Sunday puzzles. He was highly intelligent, very funny, spirited, and loved doing all these things and more with family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Robert T Kempf and Helen G. Emerson Kempf; sister, Bette Kempf; and brother, Michael Kempf. He is survived by his 4 children, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Services will be Friday, October 23rd at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, US-80 E., Haughton, LA at 2 P.M. A Gathering of Family and friends will precede the Memorial Service at 1:00 P.M.