Richard Erwin Kemmer

Richard Erwin Kemmer, 87 of Rossville passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017 at his home. He was born September 22, 1929 in Clinton County to Charles and Opal (McNorton) Kemmer. Richard graduated from Rossville High School in 1948 and married his childhood sweetheart Ruth Snyder on September 2, 1949.

Richard enlisted in the National Guard in 1947 and was employed by Brown Rubber in 1948. In 1949 he transferred to the United States Air Force and was called to serve in the Korean War until 1951. He was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force in 1953 with rank of Staff Sergeant. Richard’s military service spanned a total of 11 years.  In 2014 he enjoyed the experience of an “Honor Flight” to Washington, DC during which he visited the Korean War Memorial.

Besides being a talented craftsman, Richard owned his own cabinet business, “Kemmer Custom Kitchens,” in Rossville. In 1963 they moved their family to Boulder, Colorado where he received his teaching degree from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado. He worked for Boulder Valley Public Schools where he developed and taught the Building Trades Program, retiring in 1982.  He loved his job teaching students building trades. His hobbies included woodworking, fishing, elk hunting, camping and jeeping.

Richard and Ruth were members of the inaugural steering committee in the organization, planning and building of Faith Community Lutheran Church in Longmont, Colorado. They were regular attendees of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Mulberry.

Richard dedicated 69 years of service to civic duties which included being a Master Mason in Rossville Masonic Lodge #318 and a member of The Order of the Eastern Star #437 where he was Past Patron, Scottish Rite 32nd Degree, a member of the Colorado Consistory of Denver and a member of the American Legion Post 11 in Lafayette.

Surviving family includes his wife of 67 years, Ruth; their children, Gordon (Debbie) Kemmer of Johnstown, Colorado, Joyce (Jim) Garrett of Creston, Iowa, Connie (Brian) Morger of Preston, Minnesota; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Irmerger of Mulberry and Marge Clark of Lafayette; numerous nieces and nephews; three sisters-in-law, Jane Roush, Karen (Tony) Gascho and Kay (Don) Knop.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert, Max, Don and Bill Kemmer and sisters, Katherine Kemmer, Alice Becker and Helen Miller.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the Genda Funeral Home - Rossville Chapel with Chaplain David Mills officiating.  Interment will follow at Rossville Cemetery with military honors.  Visitation will be from 9:00a.m. on Wednesday until the time of service at the funeral home.  
Donations in memory of Richard may be made to the Honor Flight Program (c/c Pam Mow, 745 Wexford Drive, Lafayette, IN 47905).  www.gendafuneralhome.com