Robert Duane Kemp
August 10, 1954 — January 29, 2019
Robert Duane Kemp, age 64, peacefully passed away on Monday, January 28th, 2019, after a 50 year struggle with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. Born in Columbus, Georgia on August 10, 1954, Robert was the son of the late Marie Kemp Lewis and Gene Austin Kemp, Sr. He was the third grandchild of G. Hugh Kemp and Myrtie Mae Champion Kemp, COL Charles W. Colston Kemp, USA, Ret. and Victoria Heilman Colston. After spending much of his childhood in Greenville, South Carolina, Robert returned to Columbus and graduated from Columbus High School in 1972. He attended Columbus State University and transferred to his beloved University of Georgia, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1976.
Robert moved to Columbus to continue working with his two older brothers in the family furniture business that had begun with his grandfather.
He was a man of faith and was committed to giving back to his community. Robert served as past President of Kiwanis Club of Columbus, past President of the Columbus Better Business Bureau, past Chairman and Board member of Thunder and the Valley Airshow, past President of the local Diabetes Association, lifelong volunteer and past committee member of Steeplechase for the Arts, Cubmaster for St. Luke's Cub Scouts Pack 35, and volunteered at the Boys & Girls Club.
For Robert, scouting was more than just a childhood pastime, and he always tried to live his life in accordance with the Boy Scout Law. Having achieved his Eagle Scout designation, Robert continued his involvement with scouting into adulthood and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to scouting.
His passions in life included quail and dove hunting with his son and son-in-law, fishing, spending time at the Lake- whether skiing or "goin' for a boat ride", sharing his love of photography with his daughter, and spending countless hours playing with his grandson. An avid traveler, Robert never missed an opportunity to take his family somewhere new, often opting for the unmarked backroads to explore with his wife. His deep-seated love of all things aviation and trains was well known to all his friends. He could often be spotted sitting next to a runway or railroad track with a Varsity hot dog and diet coke in hand. It was his loyal patronage of The Varsity that resulted in many detours on family trips, especially to the North Carolina mountains where his most treasured moments were spent sharing old tales and stories with family on the cabin porch.
He is survived by his loving wife and soul mate of 33 years, Janet Schley Gardner Kemp, his daughter, Martha Schley Whitaker Kemp Smith (Zachary), his son, Robert Colston Kemp, and his grandson, Peter Branch Diehl Smith. He is also survived by his two brothers, Gene Austin Kemp, Jr. (Debby) and Bruce Calvin Kemp (Mary), his niece and goddaughter, Mary Allison Kemp, his sister, Barbara Kemp Moushon (Brian), and his niece, Victoria Annemarie Moushon.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 1, 2019 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at McMullen Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will be held at St. Luke United Methodist Church in the main Sanctuary at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 2, 2019. A private interment at Linwood Cemetery will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to St. Luke United Methodist Church of Columbus, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation for Diabetes education services, the Springer Opera House, or the charity of your choice.
3874 Gentian Blvd Post Office Box 7907
Columbus, GA, 31908
1104 2nd Ave
Columbus, ga, 31901
Robert moved to Columbus to continue working with his two older brothers in the family furniture business that had begun with his grandfather.
He was a man of faith and was committed to giving back to his community. Robert served as past President of Kiwanis Club of Columbus, past President of the Columbus Better Business Bureau, past Chairman and Board member of Thunder and the Valley Airshow, past President of the local Diabetes Association, lifelong volunteer and past committee member of Steeplechase for the Arts, Cubmaster for St. Luke's Cub Scouts Pack 35, and volunteered at the Boys & Girls Club.
For Robert, scouting was more than just a childhood pastime, and he always tried to live his life in accordance with the Boy Scout Law. Having achieved his Eagle Scout designation, Robert continued his involvement with scouting into adulthood and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to scouting.
His passions in life included quail and dove hunting with his son and son-in-law, fishing, spending time at the Lake- whether skiing or "goin' for a boat ride", sharing his love of photography with his daughter, and spending countless hours playing with his grandson. An avid traveler, Robert never missed an opportunity to take his family somewhere new, often opting for the unmarked backroads to explore with his wife. His deep-seated love of all things aviation and trains was well known to all his friends. He could often be spotted sitting next to a runway or railroad track with a Varsity hot dog and diet coke in hand. It was his loyal patronage of The Varsity that resulted in many detours on family trips, especially to the North Carolina mountains where his most treasured moments were spent sharing old tales and stories with family on the cabin porch.
He is survived by his loving wife and soul mate of 33 years, Janet Schley Gardner Kemp, his daughter, Martha Schley Whitaker Kemp Smith (Zachary), his son, Robert Colston Kemp, and his grandson, Peter Branch Diehl Smith. He is also survived by his two brothers, Gene Austin Kemp, Jr. (Debby) and Bruce Calvin Kemp (Mary), his niece and goddaughter, Mary Allison Kemp, his sister, Barbara Kemp Moushon (Brian), and his niece, Victoria Annemarie Moushon.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 1, 2019 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at McMullen Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will be held at St. Luke United Methodist Church in the main Sanctuary at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 2, 2019. A private interment at Linwood Cemetery will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to St. Luke United Methodist Church of Columbus, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation for Diabetes education services, the Springer Opera House, or the charity of your choice.
Visitation
FEB 1. 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EST)
McMullen Funeral Home3874 Gentian Blvd Post Office Box 7907
Columbus, GA, 31908
Celebration of Life
FEB 2. 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EST)
St. Luke United Methodist Church1104 2nd Ave
Columbus, ga, 31901
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