Richard Kempster

Richard M. Kempster, 87, of Overland Park, Kansas, died Friday, August 26, 2011 at the Kansas City Hospice House. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, August 29th, 10:00 a.m., at Church of the Nativity, 3800 West 119th, Leawood, KS, with burial following in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, August, 28th, at McGilley State Line Chapel from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions to honor Richard may be made to the Guardian Angel Fund of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, 11411 Pflumm Road, Overland Park, KS, 66215, or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 7611 State Line, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO, 64114.

Richard was born April 7, 1924, the fifth child of Edward L. and Frances (Brenton) Kempster. He married Mary Helen McShane in 1947. With the exception of army service in Europe during World War II, he was a life-long resident of the Kansas City area. He was a graduate of Westport High School and Penn Valley Community College. Richard worked for the U.S. Post Office and retired after 30 years of service. He was a devout Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Helen; his parents; brothers, Brent, Bob, Jim and George Kempster; and his sister, Mary Elizabeth (Sis) Hand. He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Fran and Gary Britton of Yukon, OK; Jeannette and Marvin Marstall of Overland Park, KS; and Mary C. Kempster of Kansas City, MO; granddaughters and their husbands, Susan and Steve; Jennifer and Ted; Carrie and Neil; Christie and Travis; Sarah and Brian, great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Matthew, Andrew, Alex, Keegan, Lila, Luke and an eighth great-grandchild expected in October. He is also survived by his brother Charles Kempster of Grandview, MO and many beloved friends, nieces and nephews.