Obituary for Stephen Joseph Kempf, Jr.
The family and friends of Stephen Joseph Kempf, Jr., are saddened by the unexpected loss of their dear Steve on Sunday, July 10th, 2022, at the too young age of 45 in his family's adopted home of San Diego, CA. While the cause of death was an unexplained stroke, the causes of life for Steve are enough to fill a special section of any newspaper.
Stephen Joseph Kempf, Jr., was born on August 18, 1976, in Bowling Green, KY, to Linda Hitt Kempf and his namesake, Stephen Joseph Kempf, Sr. Family members distinguished by name young "Stephen" from his father "Steve" (a fact that initially caused alarm in the extended family when 17 years later a teenage Kelly Gronotte would proclaim her love for "Steve" Kempf at the high school prom. More on that later...) At an early age the family moved to what would become Steve's original hometown of Louisville, KY. Steve first entered into the business world where he answered the casting call for "cute chubby kid" and parlayed it into a modest income stream from modeling. If during the 1980s you happened to be in Japan and felt compelled to get a bucket of KFC, or got married after glancing at the lovely family on the cover of Bride's Magazine, or saw a kid on a bike and then opened up an account at the Bank of Louisville then it's very likely you had been influenced and inspired by Steve's persuasive modeling chops. Those years also saw Steve make close friends in grade school and high school that endure to this day. It was at St. X where Steve showed his prescient talent of networking when he approached pal Jason Runyan looking for a referral for a potential prom date. Jason the matchmaker more than came through by making the intro of Steve to Kelly Gronotte at what would be the start of a relationship that has now surpassed 28 sweet years.
Steve and Kelly made the marriage official on July 16, 1999, at St. Barnabas Church in Louisville. Honeymoon years were spent with the young couple competing to see who could earn the most degrees from the University of Louisville. It ended up as all good marital battles do - in a 2 to 2 tie - with Steve's undergrad in Biology and Master in Entrepreneurship equaling out to Kelly's undergrad and Master in Nursing (that's BAMBA vs BSNMSNFNP for those scoring at home). Early professional years for Steve were spent working at Norton Healthcare and Humana where he earned the recognition from his peers and in the broader community with awards including the Louisville Business First's 40 under 40 list. In 2007 the couple welcomed to the world Stephen Joseph Kempf, III, who was followed by younger brother William Parker Kempf in 2010. Having learned their lesson with the Stephen/Steve moniker mix-ups, the parents wisely address each child by their middle names of Joseph and Parker. In 2013 the family of four did what any family who was born and raised in the same city with a great extended support system would do, that is move to California. Steve seized the opportunity to help his employer, Humana, run a newly acquired business unit, Anvita Health, in San Diego. After 3 years at Anvita, Steve was recruited to lead a new health care analytics company, Interpreta, where after a 5-year run it was acquired by Centene in 2021. These successes gave Steve the opportunity to pursue further interests in offering his talents in consulting and advising health care companies. Steve loved the camaraderie involved in running successful businesses. He took great pride in assembling teams of well qualified individuals and helping them work in a cohesive manner to a greater goal. He was currently in the midst of fundraising for his latest venture when his exit came way too early.
Steve practiced a kindness in life and in business that was truly extraordinary. He always saw the best in others and one would be hard pressed to ever find any negativity around him. Much of these attributes could be traced to his Catholic faith, and he, Kelly, and the boys were active volunteers in their church. They served in roles as Eucharistic ministers, marriage mentors, Sunday school teachers, as well as found gratification in building homes in Tijuana, Mexico, for those without the opportunities so many of us have been fortunate to receive.
Steve also carried on the Kempf tradition of loving a good party. He was determined to introduce the proper mint julep to the West Coast at Derby gatherings hosted by he and Kelly. He wouldn't think twice about welcoming someone who had just stopped by their home to stay for dinner or even the night, although he wisely learned to first consult with Kelly for most of those invitations. He enjoyed travel, hiking, downhill skiing, and doing pretty much any suggested activity at least once to see how it would go. Steve exemplified the childhood curiosity and genuineness that unfortunately seems to be an unlearned trait for so many in the world.
2022 has not been easy for the Kempf family. In February the family dealt with the loss of their patriarch, Stephen Joseph Kempf, Sr. This also was an unexpected event. While neither Stephens expected to pass when they did, it gives us some peace to think that they are now together, sipping on a bourbon, and in true Steve Kempf style focusing on the beauty of life that they were able to enjoy. While we are all left wishing for more, we can carry on Steve's example of being more engaged with those close to us, have a genuine curiosity in those that we meet, and recognize that it’s not how long you live, but instead how you live.
While of no surprise to all who have been fortunate to know him, Steve's generosity is continuing to this day. His healthy heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and pancreas have already given seven individuals ranging from 31 to 73 years old a new lease on life. The joy that these families are experiencing with their prayers finally answered has given Steve’s friends and family a boost of comfort. These lucky beneficiaries will be well served if they can embody a small part of Steve's joie de vivre and selfless acts of kindness to others. Steve wouldn't want it any other way.
Steve is preceded in death by his father and best friend, Stephen Kempf, Sr. He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Kelly, sons Joseph (14) and Parker (11); his mother Linda Kempf; half-sister Heather Barnes; nieces Jasmine Profeta and Rebecca Kruger; aunts Suzanne Robinson and Joan McGiveney (Bill); and a large and loving extended family in Louisville.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, July 21st at St. Therese Church in Carmel Valley (Rosary at 3 pm, Service at 4 pm, Reception to follow immediately after service). A service will also be held in Louisville at St. Patrick Catholic Church in the first week of August. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all memorials be sent to Build-a-Miracle (www.buildamiracle.net).
While we are speaking with a collective heavy heart, we say thank you to our Steve Kempf as it has been an honor and a privilege!
Stephen Joseph Kempf, Jr., was born on August 18, 1976, in Bowling Green, KY, to Linda Hitt Kempf and his namesake, Stephen Joseph Kempf, Sr. Family members distinguished by name young "Stephen" from his father "Steve" (a fact that initially caused alarm in the extended family when 17 years later a teenage Kelly Gronotte would proclaim her love for "Steve" Kempf at the high school prom. More on that later...) At an early age the family moved to what would become Steve's original hometown of Louisville, KY. Steve first entered into the business world where he answered the casting call for "cute chubby kid" and parlayed it into a modest income stream from modeling. If during the 1980s you happened to be in Japan and felt compelled to get a bucket of KFC, or got married after glancing at the lovely family on the cover of Bride's Magazine, or saw a kid on a bike and then opened up an account at the Bank of Louisville then it's very likely you had been influenced and inspired by Steve's persuasive modeling chops. Those years also saw Steve make close friends in grade school and high school that endure to this day. It was at St. X where Steve showed his prescient talent of networking when he approached pal Jason Runyan looking for a referral for a potential prom date. Jason the matchmaker more than came through by making the intro of Steve to Kelly Gronotte at what would be the start of a relationship that has now surpassed 28 sweet years.
Steve and Kelly made the marriage official on July 16, 1999, at St. Barnabas Church in Louisville. Honeymoon years were spent with the young couple competing to see who could earn the most degrees from the University of Louisville. It ended up as all good marital battles do - in a 2 to 2 tie - with Steve's undergrad in Biology and Master in Entrepreneurship equaling out to Kelly's undergrad and Master in Nursing (that's BAMBA vs BSNMSNFNP for those scoring at home). Early professional years for Steve were spent working at Norton Healthcare and Humana where he earned the recognition from his peers and in the broader community with awards including the Louisville Business First's 40 under 40 list. In 2007 the couple welcomed to the world Stephen Joseph Kempf, III, who was followed by younger brother William Parker Kempf in 2010. Having learned their lesson with the Stephen/Steve moniker mix-ups, the parents wisely address each child by their middle names of Joseph and Parker. In 2013 the family of four did what any family who was born and raised in the same city with a great extended support system would do, that is move to California. Steve seized the opportunity to help his employer, Humana, run a newly acquired business unit, Anvita Health, in San Diego. After 3 years at Anvita, Steve was recruited to lead a new health care analytics company, Interpreta, where after a 5-year run it was acquired by Centene in 2021. These successes gave Steve the opportunity to pursue further interests in offering his talents in consulting and advising health care companies. Steve loved the camaraderie involved in running successful businesses. He took great pride in assembling teams of well qualified individuals and helping them work in a cohesive manner to a greater goal. He was currently in the midst of fundraising for his latest venture when his exit came way too early.
Steve practiced a kindness in life and in business that was truly extraordinary. He always saw the best in others and one would be hard pressed to ever find any negativity around him. Much of these attributes could be traced to his Catholic faith, and he, Kelly, and the boys were active volunteers in their church. They served in roles as Eucharistic ministers, marriage mentors, Sunday school teachers, as well as found gratification in building homes in Tijuana, Mexico, for those without the opportunities so many of us have been fortunate to receive.
Steve also carried on the Kempf tradition of loving a good party. He was determined to introduce the proper mint julep to the West Coast at Derby gatherings hosted by he and Kelly. He wouldn't think twice about welcoming someone who had just stopped by their home to stay for dinner or even the night, although he wisely learned to first consult with Kelly for most of those invitations. He enjoyed travel, hiking, downhill skiing, and doing pretty much any suggested activity at least once to see how it would go. Steve exemplified the childhood curiosity and genuineness that unfortunately seems to be an unlearned trait for so many in the world.
2022 has not been easy for the Kempf family. In February the family dealt with the loss of their patriarch, Stephen Joseph Kempf, Sr. This also was an unexpected event. While neither Stephens expected to pass when they did, it gives us some peace to think that they are now together, sipping on a bourbon, and in true Steve Kempf style focusing on the beauty of life that they were able to enjoy. While we are all left wishing for more, we can carry on Steve's example of being more engaged with those close to us, have a genuine curiosity in those that we meet, and recognize that it’s not how long you live, but instead how you live.
While of no surprise to all who have been fortunate to know him, Steve's generosity is continuing to this day. His healthy heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and pancreas have already given seven individuals ranging from 31 to 73 years old a new lease on life. The joy that these families are experiencing with their prayers finally answered has given Steve’s friends and family a boost of comfort. These lucky beneficiaries will be well served if they can embody a small part of Steve's joie de vivre and selfless acts of kindness to others. Steve wouldn't want it any other way.
Steve is preceded in death by his father and best friend, Stephen Kempf, Sr. He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Kelly, sons Joseph (14) and Parker (11); his mother Linda Kempf; half-sister Heather Barnes; nieces Jasmine Profeta and Rebecca Kruger; aunts Suzanne Robinson and Joan McGiveney (Bill); and a large and loving extended family in Louisville.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, July 21st at St. Therese Church in Carmel Valley (Rosary at 3 pm, Service at 4 pm, Reception to follow immediately after service). A service will also be held in Louisville at St. Patrick Catholic Church in the first week of August. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all memorials be sent to Build-a-Miracle (www.buildamiracle.net).
While we are speaking with a collective heavy heart, we say thank you to our Steve Kempf as it has been an honor and a privilege!