Carl Calvin Kempf

Carl Calvin Kempf, age 84, of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully early Friday afternoon, November 20, 2009, in Schoenbrunn Healthcare Center. Born at his parents New Philadelphia home, March 28, 1925, he was a son of the late Frank and Mary Alice Heldt Kempf. As a young boy, Carl built and raced a soap-box derby car. Confirmed in the First United Church of Christ, he went on to graduate from New Philadelphia High School before enlisting in the United States Army. Carl served in the European Theatre during World War II, as a medical technician. He’ll be remembered as the owner of the former Portrait and Commercial Photography Studio that he and his wife operated from their 4th Street NW New Philadelphia home for sixty years. Carl was employed as a news photographer at the former Daily Times, and later as a sanitarian with the Tuscarawas County Health Department. He’d also done aerial photography, and was happiest being around airplanes and taking pictures. He was proud to have taken a solo flight of a Piper Cub at Harry Clever Field. Perhaps his most thrilling moment came when in photography school at Baltimore, Maryland. President Harry Truman traveled the country on his “Victory over Dewey” train tour in late 1948. Carl hustled to the train station, right up to the back of the president’s train, called out “good morning Mr. President” Â? and was thrilled when Mr. Truman smiled his sunny smile right into Carl’s camera. In addition to his wife, Rose, of New Philadelphia, Carl is survived by his daughter; Wendy Kempf of Wolf Lake, Quebec, Canada. Survivors also include cousins; Clarence Heldt and his wife Kathryn of New Philadelphia, Ida Myers of Tuscarawas, Kate Swaldo of Wainwright, and Alan Thomas of San Jose, California. In addition to his parents, Carl is preceded in death by his brother John Kempf and John’s wife, Katie Kempf, and John and Katie’s daughter, Diane. Cremation is planned. A memorial service and inurnment at East Avenue Cemetery will be held in Spring, 2010. A service announcement will be published in The Times-Reporter and on the funeral home’s website,Memorial contributions may be made to the Ruth Lane Cat Shelter, 540 Cedar Lane, NW, or to the Tuscarawas County Dog Pound, 441 University Drive NE. Both charities are of New Philadelphia, OH 44663. Linn-Hert-Geib (330) 343-5506 www.geibcares.com