Al was born 3 December 1924 in Hamburg, Germany, to Franz and Rosa Koemmpel. In 1926 Al, his parents and his older brother Kurt immigrated to the United States to live in Brooklyn, New York. During his teen years his familied moved to Valley Stream, Long Island, New York where he developed a love for being outdoors, trapping, hunting and fishing. In June 1943 Al graduated from Valley Stream Central High School and the next month he was drafted into the U. S. Navy where he served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres of conflict during World War II. In the Atlantic he survived his ship, the USS DONNELL (DE 56), being torpedoed by a German U-boat just a month before the D-Day invasions. 29 killed and 25 wounded of the 213 crew members. He was released from the U. S. Navy with an honorable discharge in 1946. He worked as an electrician after the war. In 1949 Al met Marie Henrich at the funeral of a mutual friend. Two years later Al and Marie were married, bought a house in Wantaugh, New York and began their life together. In 1960 Al completed his bachelor’s degree in physics from Adelphi University, Garden City, New York. In 1970 Al received an opportunity with Grumman Aero Space to work at Point Mugu, Naval Air Station working on the flight testing of the F-14 Navy fighter. The family moved to Newbury Park and joined Christ the King Lutheran Church where Al has taught Sunday School and served as Elder and Trustee.
Al was very active in Boy Scouts of America with his two sons serving as committee member and Scout Master after the boys were grown.
Al is survived by his three children: Stephen Koemmpel (Springville, CA), Kenneth Koemmpel (Bremerton, WA) and Diane Barrett (Newbury Park); and six grandchildren: Katena Bach (Federal Way, WA), Karl Koemmpel (Denton, TX), Spencer Barrett (Newbury Park, CA), Kurt Koemmpel (Seattle, WA), Riley Barrett (Newbury Park, CA) and Laura Koemmpel (Cambridge, MA) and two greatgrandchildren: Vera Bach and Julia Bach. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother and wife. Al went to be with his Lord February 18, 2020.
"In lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer's Association. Please go to the website at https://act.alz.org and go to donate button at the bottom left of the page"
Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am, Saturday 22 February at Christ the King Lutheran, 3947 W. Kimber Dr. Newbury Park, CA 91320, 805-498-2217, ctknp.com.
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