I am extremely saddened to hear of Harold's passing.  As a client, Harold helped me through the most difficult time in my life.  I will always remember his professionalism, sincerity and advice.  Even though Harold was going through his personal battle, he always put that aside for the best interest of his clients. Thank you Harold and i will remember you in my heart and prayers.  My condolences to his family and friends.

I remember Harold being nice all the time and ALWAYS SMILING.  I didn't get to experience any of his stories...I am sad about that.  I am sad that we've lost another fabulous attorney and wonderful person.  I will miss seeing him SMILE!

I remember Harold as a fair and level headed person who always had a story and a solution to your  problems. I met him in 1969  at Otterbein and he was an outgoing person  who had come from the same city as I, and he once tried to get me to join his fraternity.  As a lawyer he was one of the best in family law  and had the talk to back it up. He will be missed. Edward  Parks

My favorite memories of Harold involve listening to his stories - particularly about farming - and always knowing I would see a welcoming smile whenever I ran into him at court.  Harold's love and devotion to his family were admirable.  His dedication to the profession was inspirational.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

I worked for Harold’s firm from 1992 - 1997.  As a young associate attorney, he taught me a couple of important things.  The first was to hustle, no matter what you’re doing.  Harold always reminded me of a basketball player who would dive for any lose ball regardless of how much skin he left on the court.  For example, I don’t remember Harold using the elevator in our building (presumably too slow).  Instead, he always took the stairs; and he didn’t just walk.  He ran up and down them like he was being chased.  He always seemed on a mission, even if he just needed to make few copies on the 2nd floor Xerox.  Second, Harold taught me the importance of having a sense of humor about what you do.  As someone who takes everything too seriously, Harold was inspirational to me in that regard.  His laugh was infectious and omnipresent.  He cared intensely about his clients but no matter how much venom was involved in a case, he seemed to have a magical ability to detach from the negativity and remain upbeat and happy. Thank you Harold for setting that example for me; I’ll never forget you.

Barron K. Henley

I remember my first case with Harold - I was a relatively young attorney and was so nervous about facing such an experienced litigator. When we had our first phone call about the case, I realized that, yes, he was as talented as I had been told - but he was so kind and always had a funny story or quote.  He reminded me that civility among our profession is still the right thing and that - no matter how heated the legal arument, we would always leave the court room as friends and colleagues.

Thank you, Harold, for showing me that the nice guy can finish first. Your smile and humor will be greatly missed.

Our family has known Harold and his family since he and my brother Roger were best friends at Dayton Colonel White High School and then Otterbein College.  Having Harold walk in the door was like letting the sunshine in - he was always ready to share a story and a laugh, even in tough times.  Such a brilliant, outstanding person, so full of life and love.  We are richer for having known him.
Marlene Lansman Deringer and family

I first met Harold several years ago, although I had known about him for many years prior to that.  My partner, Velva, was his fourth client, and that trusted relationship where he served as a true friend and mentor to her lasted throughout the rest of his life.  I can see why.  From the very first time I met him, I could see that he was a indeed a very special man....one that you do not meet often.  

His quick wit and glowing smile were open windows into a rare and exquisite soul.  His passion for the law appeared to be surpassed only by his dedication to the well-being of those around him.  While his family and his faith were clearly the center of his life, I could also quickly see that whether it was a client, a colleague, a friend, or sometimes even a new acquaintance, his warmth and concern for them was genuine.  His commitment to them would be as firm as his handshake. 

Simply stated, for me, I just felt better when he was around.  I am sure a great many others felt that way, too.  

This world will miss you, Harold.  We will all try very hard to live up to the wonderful examples that you set.  You will live on in the hearts of all those that you have touched.

May God bless you.

I knew Harold as a classmate and leader. I admired his enthusiasm and passion. He kept us together, organizing our class reunions.

Mr. Kemp was a character and one of the nicest people I've ever met.  He will be greatly missed.  My thoughts are with Mrs. Kemp, Lauren, and everyone else who had the pleasure of knowing Harold.  <3

Morgan Hensley

I met Harold in early 1978 when he became my divorce attorney. His office was on Wilson Road at that time. I was a young mother with a 2 yr. old son and pregnant again at the time, so my divorce could not become final until the birth of my second son. I remember when my baby was born having to go in for an appt. with him and he called to remind me to bring the baby. When I walked into his office he held out his hands and took my baby boy into his arms. He held my son Ryan throughout the appointment. I had to ask for him back when I was leaving! I do believe Harold was hoping I'd forget :) 

I didn't have much money back then and when I'd become worried about the fees Harold would just wave his hand in the air and say "Don't worry about it. When you've got it, I'll get it." For years I paid him $10 a week. Not one time did he ever complain. Not one time did he ever ask me to pay more. There were several times I needed to go back to him because my ex would stop paying support and we'd have to file contempt charges and go back to court. Again he never asked for anything more than filing fees and would tack the rest to my bill. I know he did not charge me what he probably could have. There's no way. That's the kind of man Harold was. Kind and caring.

Harold Kemp was my savior back in those days. I admired him, respected him and thought of him as not just my attorney but my friend. 

I read the story from the man who said Harold was always saying "Barbara says...." and I remember that as well. I'm so very sorry to hear of his passing. The world has lost a great man. 

To his family, friends and colleagues I offer my deepest sympathies. 

God Bless,
Victoria Burns

Harold's nickname when I went to work for the court eighteen years ago was "Boomer" which someone said was a nickname he had playing basketball.  Regardless of where it came from, I thought it meant he was prone to angry outbursts, mean, etc ... but as I got to know him, I realized he wasn't mean or angry at all.  Instead he was always "on", always coming at you with a new argument, and never leaning back to take a rest.

He was very high energy and always gave his cases 110%.  He argued, but with a smile on his face.  He would rib me about my lawn needing mowed and I'd rib him about wearing "farmer's socks" (short socks that showed his legs when he leaned back in his chair) to court  or whatever else I could find to try and keep up with him.  Having a trial with Harold was always fun because even if he was representing the bad actor in the case, even if the judge or magistrate said he wasn't going to win, and even if he didn't have the evidence, he always came in to court with a new angle, a new appellate case to argue, or just ready to argue the heck out of the case he had handed to him.  He was one of those attorneys who believed everyone deserved their day in court whether he personally agreed with them or not, and he always treated all of his clients, every last one, with the respect they deserved.

On a personal note, Harold was always talking about his family who he was extremely proud of and who was really the center of his existence.  He also made sure to reach out to those around him to crack a joke or say a kind word.  I live in Jefferson Township with my wife and two boys.  He remembered that Corinne, my wife, had attended John Caroll University and had pulled her side to talk about John Caroll when his son decided to attend college there.  He also remembered that my wife raises ducks and geese and that they can be quite loud at times.  Harold would drive by our house during the weeks we were in trial at 5 a.m. and see me with the light on in my den.  So, he'd lay on his horn as he passed our house to wake up the ducks and geese.  I'd respond by shooting off an email to him with plenty of expletives feigning shock and anger.  However, it was all in good fun and the only time I ever heard of another attorney actually  being "angry" at Harold Kemp was when they had been "schooled" by him in the courtroom or on a case.

In short, Harold knew "people", he liked them, and was good with them.  That's a rare commodity these days, and Harold will be sorely missed by a lot of us.

My favorite memory of Harold was when he got so upset about a decision that he jumped on the table in the courtroom that I was working.  He was so passionate about his clients that he would get his point across by any means neccessary:-)  I will miss you Harold!   Bev

My favorite stories from Harold was of his mother. It is impossible to recite his words so that others would benefit the many laughs that I was given. In short, Harold's mom suffered through the days of NO in-door plumbing. Also, a time that Harold was helping hang a painting in the office; His description of Larry (Magistrate) McQuain's pictures was hilarious. If only he had one chance to break in with his Level, he could alleviate his neck pain from looking "up" at Larry's photos.
We never had a conversation that did not include the words "I was telling Barbara". That phrase will be in my memory forever.
Finally, the most endearing memory of Harold; with his chemo treatment coming to an end in Dec 2009, he comes to me wanting to know what "he" could do to take ease my burden. His compassion for others is an inspiration. He touched the lives of many.

I give you this one thought to keep -
I am with you still - I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the sweet uplifting rush,
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft starts that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone -
I am with you still in each new dawn.
- Traditional Native American Prayer

OBITUARIO

Harold Kemp

11 marzo, 1950 – 30 junio, 2011

Schoedinger Midtown

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