Douglas Paul Kempf

Douglas Paul Kempf, 68, passed away on December 18, 2024, in San Diego, California from lung cancer. He was born December 3, 1956 in Lansing, Michigan to Norman and Vivian Kempf the first son of five children. After graduating from Harry Hill High School in 1975, he went to Georgetown University where he worked for the President of the university and graduated with a BA in English. In 1981, Doug then enrolled in medical school and joined the Navy to finance his Georgetown tuition. Doug could have been anything he wanted and he chose psychiatry and the Navy two things at which he excelled. The Navy took him all over the world; Okinawa, Japan; Aden, Yemen where he oversaw medical operations after the bombing of the USS Cole; the desert of Kuwait; and various stateside naval hospitals retiring from Naval Medical Center San Diego in 2009 as a full captain. Doug was a diverse person. He loved to fly and would take short flights never leaving the airport just to be able to fly. He was a good photographer and would spend time each day taking pictures of planes landing at San Diego International Airport then posting them to Twitter. He had a huge following including many pilots who said when flying into San Diego they would always look to see if Doug captured a picture of their plane. Doug loved to read. As a child he had to be made to go outside because all he wanted to do was read. So, he would take his book outside and read under a tree. He loved going to the theater and was a patron of the Riverwalk Theater in Lansing along with several theaters in San Diego. He listened to public radio and never owned a television. He was a musician playing the guitar and violin. Doug was an excellent writer and could have been a novelist because he was a great storyteller. The world is a less interesting place without Doug in it. Doug was preceded in death by his good friend and theater partner, Richard Addesso and his father Norman. Doug is survived by his mother Vivian, sisters Cindy (Sean) Douglas; Deborah (Don) Myers; brothers, Mark and Eric Kempf; nephews, Chad and Peter Kempf; and great nieces, Elizabeth and Victoria Kempf. Doug had a special friendship with Susan Stabile, who was as close as a sister and her daughter Elena whom Doug care for like a niece. He also loved and will be missed by his godson, Ian Alonso. After his friend Richard's passing, Doug looked for someone to join him at the theater. A friend recommended another Navy Captain, Tom Nunns. Doug and Tom went to the theater regularly but didn't really get to know each other until Doug was diagnosed with lung cancer. Tom then became what Doug referred to as his angel; chauffeuring him to appointments, helping him with grocery shopping, taking him to get his hair cut and accompanying him to all of his appointments and treatments. Doug was extremely grateful for Tom and his commitment to not abandon a member of the Navy family. Family and friends are invited to a visitation at Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home in Grand Ledge, Michigan on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 9:30-10:30 am with a memorial service starting at 10:30 am. The memorial service will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.holihanatkin.com, click on Doug’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smartphone). Internment of Doug's cremated remains will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Grand Ledge with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, please honor Doug by supporting your local performing arts theater, public radio or food bank. Share your memories and condolences online at www.holihanatkin.com

Douglas Paul Kempf

December 3, 1956 - December 18, 2024