Leonard Kemp

While our hearts are heavy, they are also full of gratitude. Len’s deep faith, loving family, and loyal friends carried him through a courageous battle with cancer.

We know Len was joyfully welcomed into heaven by his parents, Lois and Charles (Chuck) Kemp, his sister Sue Kopko, and his father-in-law Gary Nicholson.

Len was a devoted big brother to Sue and Kim – a role he took seriously and with pride, always the protector. Growing up, he spent summers camping across the United States with his family and especially cherished vacations at Silver Bay, New York on Lake George with cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Throughout his school years, Len stood out as a gifted athlete and a friend to all. The number 13 – unlucky for some – was anything but that for Len and his Worthington crew. “The 13,” a brotherhood bound by decades of laughter and unwavering loyalty, were a vital part of “Len’s Army” these past few years. Kemper was proud to be one of them.

After earning a marketing degree from Miami University of Ohio, Len began his post-college life in Cincinnati. According to his fraternity brothers, he was quick-witted and least likely to attend late-night parties – qualities that earned him dozens of nicknames, including Daylight Len, The Sultan of Slumber, Leno, Lenny, and most recently, Kemper Fi.

Len built a successful career over more than 30 years in the healthcare industry, including 23 years at Genentech. Starting in sales and growing into various roles, he was passionate about connecting patients with life-saving therapies. Len listened more than he talked. He cared deeply. He was smart, humble, and a quietly compassionate thinker – a rare and remarkable combination.

Kemper was an avid golfer, a proud Buckeye, a trivia whiz, and a loyal supporter of the Dublin Jerome Celts. He loved a good tailgate and knew just the right time to fire up a playlist from his phone to get the party started.

Above all, family meant everything to him. His greatest pride was being husband to Kath and father to Jack and Connor. As a lector at St. Brigid of Kildare, Len lived his faith and passed it on to his sons.

On weekends, you’d find him coaching the boys’ teams or cheering them on enthusiastically from the sidelines. He introduced Jack and Connor to his love of humor, empathy, golf, cooking hearty breakfasts, and, of course, filling out March Madness brackets. His commitment to family vacations, movie nights in the cul-de-sac, spring break getaways, and Thanksgiving road trips to Chicago earned him yet another nickname: The Fun Guy.

No tribute would be complete without honoring Lisa Scanlon. Over the past two and a half years, Lisa went from caregiver to cherished member of the Kemp family. She is truly an angel on Earth.

Len, we know heaven is a bit brighter and a lot more fun with your arrival. We take comfort in knowing you’re watching over us with your keen Kemper eye on Kath, your partner in life and music; your beloved sons Jack and Connor; your brother-in-law Mike Nicholson; and your sister Kim Stirn, who always held a uniquely special place in your heart.

Len was, simply, a good human. The kind of person who made everyone better just by being himself. We are all better for having known him.

We invite you to join us in remembering Kemper at visitation on Thursday, July 31, at Schoedinger Dublin, 5980 Perimeter Drive, Dublin, Ohio, 43017 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and at the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Brigid of Kildare, 7179 Avery Road, Dublin, Ohio 43017 on Friday, August 1, at 11:00 a.m.

The Kemp Family has two charities that are particularly important to them. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either in Len’s memory.

Pelotonia | Team Buckeye The Head and Neck Cancer Research Fund https://www.pelotonia.org/peloton/a0s3t00000BKXb7AAH

Glitter Girls Guild | Non-profit that supports families in the community impacted by medical hardship https://www.glittergirlsguild.org/donate.