Greg Kempf

Greg Joseph Kempf, 66, of Millersburg OH, passed away Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 from complications of stroke. Arrangements were handled by Alexander Funeral Home, Millersburg. He was born January 31, 1954, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Joseph and Joan (Osness) Kempf. Surviving are his wife, Catherine (Johns) Kempf of Millersburg, Ohio; daughters Hannah Kempf of Brooklyn, New York and Caroline (Kempf) Janssen of Massillon, Ohio; grandchildren Myles and Emilie Janssen; sister Vicki Lynn (Kempf) Kurle of Asheville, North Carolina. Greg grew up in Boise, and Idaho Springs, Idaho, before returning to South Dakota where a friend introduced him to his future wife Catherine, and they spent 45 loving years together. Greg’s adventurous spirit led him to life off the beaten path, including log cabin life in the Rocky Mountains of Montana when the family was young, to a year in the rainforest below a volcano in Costa Rica in more recent years. He dreamed of spending time in the Mediterranean, perhaps Sicily, in the future. As much as he loved visions of faraway adventure, he also spent countless hours in the woods of his & Catherine’s land in Ohio, observing nature, planning a future songbird sanctuary for the land. Greg had many talents, passions and careers, including auctioneer, taxidermist, homesteader, writer, and most of all, artist and print maker. His career as a professional artist was also his sacred calling. Greg’s artwork held the attention and affection of many, from friends & family, to worldwide collectors, and he was especially honored by recognition by the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers of London, England. Greg loved creating and sharing his art, passionate about making the world a better place through using his talents. His creative spirit, and generosity, touched thousands. His family plans to create an online home for his work in the future. Greg could always be found encouraging those around him, and his family has countless memories of him stopping