Obituaries
Dr. Robert M. Kemp, 87
June 01, 2017
Dr. Robert M. Kemp, 87, of Lancaster, passed away on June 1, 2017 at The Glen at Willow Valley. Born in Norristown, PA, he was the son of the late William & Minnie (Smith) Kemp. Dr. Kemp was the loving husband of 64 years to Mary R. (Challenger) Kemp.
He graduated in 1948 from Ephrata High School, in 1952 from Franklin & Marshall College, in 1956 from Temple Medical School. He then served an internship at St. Joseph Hospital, Lancaster. A veteran, he served as Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1957-59. He then opened a medical practice in Willow Street, PA on April 11, 1960. Also in 1960, he became a member of the Lancaster City & County Medical Society, PA Medical Society, American Medical Association, Lancaster County Academy of Family Physicians, the PA Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Then from 1960-2007, Dr. Kemp was an Active Staff member of St. Joseph Hospital and Courtesy Staff of Lancaster General Hospital. From 1965-1995, he served as a Lancaster County Deputy Coroner. He also became a charter member of the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Kemp was the Medical Director and a board member at the Teacher’s Protective Mutual Life Insurance Company. He helped to establish and volunteer at the Water Street Rescue Mission Clinic. In 1995, Dr. Kemp retired from clinical practice. Between the years of 1999-2007, he was the Associate Medical Director of Lancaster Regional Medical Center, formerly St. Joseph Hospital.
Dr. Kemp made many other additional contributions to the community, which include: serving as preceptor for Rita Rhoads, Founder of Quarryville Birthing Center, Football Team Doctor for Lampeter-Strasburg High School & Lancaster Catholic High School, supervised clinical rotations for nursing students and took care of 2 floors of Conestoga View Nursing Home. He was active in the Lancaster County & PA Heart Association. He was also a member of the St. Mary’s 1st Parish Council, served as Eucharistic Minister and Lector at St. Mary’s and took communion to homebound parishioners. Dr. Kemp took care of many priests & ministers and their families. He was the company doctor at Safe Harbor. He was a member of the Professional Standards Review Organization. Dr. Kemp volunteered at the Willow Street Fire Hall, giving polio shots.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Mary, are 4 children: William R. Kemp (Susan), Mary Ann Notarianni (Joseph), Margaret L. Kemp (Jackie Cooper) and Jane E. Ramirez (Miguel); 7 grandchildren: Andrew, Jeffery & Brian Notarianni, Sarah & Alexander Kemp and Ryan (Kelsey) & Elizabeth Ramirez; and a great-grandson: Joseph Notarianni.
Dr. Kemp is preceded in death by his siblings: William M. Kemp, E. Leonard Kemp and Virginia Hoag.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Monday, June 5, 2017 at Historic St. Mary’s Church, 119 S. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603. Friends will be received from 9-10 AM at the church. Interment will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to St. Mary’s Church.
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Condolences to the Family
August 28, 2017
Dr. Kemp was always our Dr. from Willow St. to what ever he went into, he served our family well, he was with my husband to the very end, God bless you Dr. Kemp.
The Robert Bachman family
June 13, 2017
I remember Dr Kemp when I worked at old St Joseph Hospital. He would make sounds in the evening, and he would sing in the hallways. A lovely man, and a physician who truly cared about his patients. May the Lord bless and keep him.
Kathleen A Magbag, RN
June 07, 2017
Dear Mary and Family,
The picture in the paper is the Dr Kemp I remember. He was new to St Joseph Hospital when I was a student nurse. I remember babysitting for you when Billy was a baby. He was Lee’s boyscout leader many years ago. When we moved to Willow Street he was our family doctor.He was very special to us, & will be missed.
I’m sure you are very proud of him & all his accomplishments throughout his life. May the good memories sustain you in your journey ahead.
Our sincere sympathy,
Lorraine & Ed Ziegler
June 06, 2017
Dear Kemp family,
Our family was very sad to learn of Dr. Kemp’s passing. I had first met Dr. Kemp in Sept 1968 as a new RN at St. Joes Hospital. We were in the elevator together, got off at same floor, both of us went behind the nurses station. I watched him pull carts out of the rack and start to look at them. I nicely went over to him, took the charts and told him , only doctors were allowed here with charts. He looked at me , smiled and said “You don’t know who I am”. I said no but still kept the charts. He stood up, said “I am Dr. Kemp-may I please have my charts now,” laughing .Me , face red, quietly handed them over.
Over the years Dr. Kemp was our favorite family doctor, the girls loved him and he was such a help to me. He was kind and compassionate, never rushed and always there for us.
The last thing about him was his special walk. I could hear him coming down the hopital halls, would have his things ready for him. “How did you know I was coming ?” . Your special walk. He just laughed.
the last time I saw him,was at the health campus, I heard that walk and started shearching for him. There he was , pushing a gentleman to dialysis appointment. We chated briefly and said goodby.
I will miss him, but have good memories of him.
With deepest sympathy, Barbara, Lori and Julie Cramer
June 06, 2017
Dear Kemp Family: You are in my prayers. I rember Dr Kemp as a bit wity. He was a fun doctor. He will be missed. Blessings, Becky Musser Hambleton
June 05, 2017
Dear Mary and family members:
While I have not seen Dr. Bob for a few years he was always gracious and seemed to put a positive spin on everything.
Above all, he cared about his patients and family, doing his best to serve others.
With deepest sympathy,
Ron Smith
June 05, 2017
Dear Kemp Family,
It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of Dr. Kemp. He was an integral part of our family while we lived in Lancaster County. He was an amazing man who always made time for his patients. He was especially great with all children who entered his office — handing out gum at every opportunity. My family was always grateful for his infinite attention and care for all patients who entered his office. His patients were never just a job to him; we were all important individuals who received his undivided attention. Our family has an unending supply of Dr. Kemp memories and anecdotes that we have shared over the last several days. They are too numerous to detail here. Please know that we all loved him dearly, and he will be sorely missed. We all wanted to attend the services today; however, due to our work schedules, it was impossible.
Sincerely,
Pastor Bob and Michele Witmyer
June 05, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with friends of family during this difficult time.
Jennifer Eslinger
Administrator
Conestoga View
June 05, 2017
Dear Mary and family,
My thought and prayers are with you. I remember fondly Bob in his office questioning me as a young student nurse as I observed his physicals. I saw him often at the hospital and remember his lengthy H&Ps and doctors’ orders, he was so very thorough! He always conveyed his care and respect for everyone he encountered. Bob was indeed a special person.
I can hear God saying, “Well done, my faithful servant!”
Love,
Linda Musser Greineder
June 04, 2017
Dear Mary, Bill, Sue, Sarah and Al,
I am so sorry to hear of the death of Robert. He was so memorable, a larger than life character that lit up a room (or tent) whenever he entered. I remember him at Al and Sarah’s school at various events, always supporting his grandchildren and cheering them on. I have to say that I remember him best the several times we were den leaders at Camp Independence Cub Scout camp. He was so much fun to have around and I can still see him in his bright red Heinz t shirt boarding the “pirate ship”.
I knew he was accomplished doctor but reading the obituary I was even more impressed. He clearly had a wonderful and fulfilling life and gave of his talents to others. I know he will be greatly missed by many but you all will have him as a part of you always.
I am sorry I cannot be there at the memorial but I will be with you in spirit.
Sally Allan
June 04, 2017
Dear Kemp family, please accept my heartfelt condolences. One of my fondest memories of Dr. Kemp dates back to the spring of 1973, when as an 11 y/o, I suffered a pretty major laceration just above my kneecap from a bicycle crash in Manheim Twp – I flat out refused to go the hospital telling my mom I would only get it fixed (as though I had a choice) by Dr. Kemp in the comfort of his office. So off we drove to Willow Street and Dr. Kemp, in his usual, calm demeanor, flecked with some humor made at my expense, proceeded to sew me back up using what looked like a U-shaped upholsterer’s needle with my mom holding the lamp so he could see better. Every day since then, I see what remains of that scar with its 7 suture marks and I think back with great fondness, appreciation and admiration for Doc Kemp, hand’s down, my favorite family doctor of all time (who that day could easily have instructed his office staff to tell my mom to take me to the ER at St. Joe’s instead). May he rest in peace.
Stephen Sherman, Bethesda, MD
June 03, 2017
Dr. Kemp delivered my brother and I in 1965 and 1967. He continued to be our family doctor until he left the office in Willow Street. We lost contact with him at that time as we continued to be patients at that particular office. My mom, however, talked about Dr. Kemp throughout our lives. She was a deaf patient of his, and appreciated how kind he was to her in those earlier days. My condolences to his family.
Colleen Lefever
June 03, 2017
Aunt Mary and family, we are so sorry to hear of Uncle Bobs passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Bill and Shelley Challenger
June 03, 2017
As another family physician, I appreciate Dr Kemp and all his involvement & dedication over so many years to his patients, his colleagues, and the community.
Dr William Parke
- Visitation
- Monday, June 05, 2017
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Historic St. Mary’s Church
- 119 S. Prince Street
- Lancaster, PA
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Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Monday, June 05, 2017
- 10:00 AM
- Historic St. Mary’s Church
- 119 S. Prince Street
- Lancaster, PA
- Map and Directions
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