1937 – 2023
It is with immense sadness, that we announce the passing of Mr. Robert James Kemp of Innisfail, Alberta at the age of 85 years. Robert passed in the early hours of Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at the Innisfail Health Care Centre after a fall at his home the previous Saturday morning.
Robert ‘Bob” was born on November 23, 1937 in Red Deer, Alberta to Betty and Jack Kemp. He was the youngest of their four children, a sibling to Peggy, Gerald and Jackie. Betty and Jack moved the family to Innisfail in 1943 when Robert was six. The family established what we now know as ‘Kemp Family Farms’.
Over the years, he branched out and left the operation of the original farm and dairy in his brother’s hands. Bob then worked at the Innisfail Creamery, he purchased more land, renovated a house, built another house, sold another acreage, and carried on. He loved camping, country music and cars.
Bob was predeceased by his father, Jack in 1970, his mother, Betty in 1983, his sister Peggy in 2010 and his brother Gerald in 2022.
Bob will be lovingly remembered by his wife Beatrice and her daughter Tara (Michael) and their son Maxwell, his sister Jackie and her children Brad, Greg (Mindy), Patty (Eric), Kelly (Danny) and their families, his sister in-law Rita and her children, Rick (Wendy), Kerri (Ross), Chris (Jim), Owen (Joyce), Tim (Robin), Debbie (Rodger) and their families. The numbers are actually quite staggering when you add them all up!
Robert had no children of his own, but in 1997, he surprised everyone by getting married at the age of sixty. Now he found himself a part of another large family and thoroughly enjoyed the novelty of being a ‘Grandfather’ when Maxwell was born in 2008. He loved to tell the story of how surreal it was to find himself in a store shopping for breast pumps and diapers at his age, something he never imagined would happen.
Robert bravely coped with many health issues his whole life, but unfortunately could not overcome the final battle with Dementia/Alzheimer’s and passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
Bob was always aware of the opportunities; advantages and the hard work of his ancestors had provided for him. He had great confidence in the ability of his numerous nieces, nephews and their children to carry on the proud legacy of the generations before them. He was a generous man with both his time and his money. Sometimes the recipients knew his name, other times the donations were anonymous. Some of his favorite charities were the Markerville Creamery, the Markerville Church, the Innisfail Historical Society and the Red Deer Museum and Archives. We thank the staff at the Innisfail Medical Clinic and the Innisfail Health Care Centre for all the help, care and attention to Robert over the last years.
No formal funeral service will be held. Following cremation, Robert will be laid to rest at the Innisfail Cemetery.
If friends desire, Memorial Donations may be made to the Historic Markerville Creamery Museum 114 Creamery Way, Markerville, Alberta T0M 1M0 or the Innisfail Historical Society at 5139 42 St. Innisfail, Alberta T4G 1K2.
Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
