1931
2014
Bernard “Bud” Vincent Kempf, 82 of Boonville passed away on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Monday, June 23, 2014 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 322 Seventh Street, Boonville, Missouri. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Burial will be at 3:00 pm on Monday, June 23, 2014 at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery with Full Military Honors located at 1479 County Road 1675, Jacksonville, MO.
Bud was born on December 4, 1931 in Pilot Grove, Missouri to Hubert & Anne Meyer Kempf. Bud married his lifelong sweetheart, Yvonne Addie on December 23, 1953 in Portland, Oregon. He served our country faithfully in the United States Air Force. After returning from the Air Force, Bud opened his own business, Kempf Plumbing and Heating. Bud was on the Boonville City Council for 17 years and also served as the Mayor of Boonville for 12 years.
Bud was a member of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, Boonville Booster Club, the VFW, 40 & 8 American Legion Chef De Gare, and the Boy Scouts Order of the Arrow.
He recently participated in the Honor Flight to Washington, DC. Bud was passionate about his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the City of Boonville. Bud was always committed to the betterment of our community.
During the time he was mayor he made numerous contributions to the growth and economic development of the city including securing the casino development and enhancing the riverfront. This has served as a catalyst for many of the community projects since that time. He was a proponent of developing city amenities to improve the quality of life and recreational activities for all. During his tenure land was purchased for the Rolling Hills Park. A park that today is enjoyed by many year round and will soon bear his name, ”Bud Kempf Boulevard”. He was instrumental in collaborating with the State of Missouri and private investors to capitalize on the Katy Trail through the city and across the river. His many other accomplishments and improvements for the city of Boonville are too numerous to list, but he believed the real strength of Boonville was not in its streets or businesses but in her people. He wore his community on his sleeve and brag about her constantly. He never met a stranger but if he met you for the first time he talked to you about how great a city he was from. He believed it was vitally important to listen to the will of the people he served. He listened closely to the needs of all, rich or poor, young or old, black or white. He was the peoples’ mayor. He fought tirelessly for the city and people he loved. He will be greatly missed.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Wayne Kempf, two sisters, Shirley Waibel & Imogene Kempf.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Yvonne, 2 sons and their wives, Dr. Jeffrey & Dr. Ellen Kempf and Rick & Anna Kempf, a daughter and her husband, Jane Ann & Steve Brengarth, 2 brothers and their wives, Robert & Patricia Kempf and Larry & Sherry Kempf, a sister, Millie Brickner, 4 grandsons, Rhett Brengarth, Seth Brengarth, Benjamin Kempf and Brit Brengarth, 6 granddaughters, Megan Brengarth, Emily Kempf, Elizabeth Kempf, Ashley Stewart, Heidi Ritchey and Erin Kempf, 3 great-grandsons, Canton Kempf, Brady Brengarth and Connlann Stewart, and 3 great-granddaughters, Bailee Kempf-Miller, Emma Brengarth, and Isabelle Bray.
Memorial donations may be made to the Central Missouri Honor Flight, 1400 Forum Drive, Suite 1C, Box 334, Columbia, Missouri 65203 or The Katy Bridge Coalition, PO Box 265, Boonville, Missouri 65233.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
June 23, 2014
Bud was a tremendous asset to Boonville and a treasure to all who knew him and Yvonne. Thanks for everything Bud did in life. Steve Jones and staff
June 23, 2014
Ray & Kerry Cramer
Our prayers are with you.
June 22, 2014
We are very sorry to hear of your loss. Bud was a special person in Boonville. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Chaneta, Charlie & Steven Elbert, Janice, Corita & Robert Estill
June 22, 2014
Clifton Cooper
I am so very sorry for your loss, Mr. Kempf was always very nice to me and my family I have the fondest of memories of the Kempf family.
June 22, 2014
Brian & Sallie Hirst
So sorry to hear of Bud's passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who knew and loved him. He was truly a wonderful man. God Bless you in this difficult time.
June 21, 2014
Rick, Anna, and the entire Kempf family.... Our most sincere condolences during this time. We love you and will be praying for you and we know that God's light shines brightest during your darkest hours. Remember... when someone you love becomes a memory, their memory becomes a treasure.
Allen, Barbara, Stephanie and Chelsea
June 20, 2014
Kathy and Charley Murdock
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Bud was "Mr. Ambassador" of Boonville and will be sorely missed! He was also a very dear friend. He will be missed...
June 20, 2014
Jimmy & Edna Carmichael
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time Bud will be souley missed We think it is a shame they had to wait till Bud passed before they named a street after him we fill this should have been earlier so Bud could have seen this He would have been so proud and humbled to know he was appreciated.
June 19, 2014
Hal McNeal
We have known Bud and Yvonne since we moved here in 1984. And to say that Bud never knew a stranger is more than accurate. I consider Bud and his family dear friends and will miss him dearly.....To say that Bud was the epitimy of the city of Boonville, is an understatement......Our Thoughts and Prayers are with the Kempf family.
June 19, 2014
Darlene Miller / Brizendine
I went to school with Jeff,I've known the whole family for long time . Prayers & Condolences to ,the whole family.
June 19, 2014
Wilbur and Eunice Vollrath
Please accept our sympathy. Bud contributed his time and talents to serve his community. The family will treasure the leadership skills he offered throughout his lifetime. We care!
June 19, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time of loss. May your family and friends be of comfort in the coming days. With sincere sympathy, Dennis and Debi Huff
June 19, 2014
Terry Kraft
My condolences to you all. Terry Grissum Kraft
June 18, 2014
Greg Cook
To Jeff, Yvonne, Jane, and Rick: I know my sense of loss can't be a great as yours, but I do feel a significant loss with Bud's passing. I spent enough time at your house as a teenager that Bud and Yvonne were like surrogate parents, and good ones at that. Bud was an upbeat guy, and I'll fill the hole with upbeat memories. Scouting, camping, the Bugatti, building the New Franklin swimming pool, even cutting the redwood boards we shouldn't have cut for cold air return baffles. And while getting buried in a ditch collapse isn't exactly upbeat, thank God CW was able to dig him out. Bud was a good man and there never have been nearly enough like him.
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