Richard Paul Kemp Jr.

Richard Paul Kemp, Jr. of Bakersfield, California passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 8, 2021 at the age of 75. He was born to Richard P. Kemp Sr. and Muriel Kemp in Baltimore, Maryland on July 9, 1946. He was number 4 of 6 kids. In 1946 the family moved to Rogers, Arkansas and enjoyed country life. Responsibility training began with cleaning out the chicken brooder house and raising rabbits. Rich was a Cub Scout for a couple of years.

In 1957 the family moved to Buena Park, California and suffered culture shock going from county life to now being in a big city. One of Rich’s fond memories was going with his siblings to Knott’s Berry Farm before they charged admission. He enjoyed little league baseball and playing war games with friends in an empty, overgrown lot.

In 1964 Rich graduated in Chatsworth High School’s first graduating class in Canoga Park. He was active in student government and the school newspaper.

In 1966 Rich was drafted into the US Army. After serving in Viet Nam, he was honorably discharged in 1968.

He went back to school earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State College, Bakersfield in 1974. He worked in the accounting department of several oil companies including many years with Oxy International and enjoyed over 4 years of international travel with them.

Rich married Beverly Rich in 1989 (the couple later divorced in 2000). They had 2 sons: Richard “Paul” Kemp III and Philip Sean Kemp. Rich became involved in scouting as a tiger cub den coach when Paul became a Tiger Cub and stepped it up a notch when Philip became a Tiger Cub. Rich loved scouting and continued it for many years with his boys. He earned many awards and was quartermaster at Camp Kodiak in July 2006.

Some of Rich’s favorite hobbies included trips to the casinos in Las Vegas and Reno, antiquing, and Jeeps. He was a member of several 4 wheel drive groups including the Bakersfield Trailblazers.

He is predeceased by his parents, sister Ruth Ann Schwarz of Chadron, Nebraska, and brother Jim Kemp of McKinney, Texas. He is survived by his sons, Paul Kemp of Bakersfield, and Phil Kemp of Florida, sisters Jo Ann Ahrens of Canberra, New South Wales, Australia, Helen Boyd and Debra Boling both of Tulare, California and sister-in-law Carol Kemp of McKinney, Texas.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2021 at the Bakersfield National Cemetery, followed by a reception at Hodel’s in Bakersfield.