Kempers, Dr. Garrett B. 1898-1987

KEMPERS

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 2/25/2015 at 21:25:46

Source: Sioux Center News (12-9-1987)

Born: November 1, 1898
Died: November 20, 1987

Dr. Garrett B. Kempers, 89, emeritus professor of history at Westmar College in Le Mars died November 20 at Memorial Hospital Sarasota, Florida.

Kempers served as professor of history at Westmar from 1932 through 1964 and was awarded emeritus status upon his retirement.

Kempers was born November 1, 1898, at Sioux Center. Besides teaching at Westmar for 31 years, he also taught at the University of Cincinnati.

He received his undergraduate degree from Calvin College at Grand Rapids, Michigan, and his master’s and doctorate degrees in history from the University of Michigan. He received an honorary L.L.D. degree from Westmar College and was a fellow of the Carnegie School of International Law.

Kempers wrote several books and numerous articles for the Journal of Modern History. He also wrote articles for the Foreign Policy Association.

While living in Le Mars, he was a member of First Presbyterian Church and was a past president of the Le Mars Rotary Club. While serving at Westmar, he was chairman of the social science division for 15 years. He wrote a history of Westmar College that was completed in 1965.

Kempers and his wife, Laura, moved to Sarasota, Florida, in 1967, where he was a member of the Church of the Palms Presbyterian Church, the Sarasota Yacht Club and an honorary life member of the Sarasota Bay Rotary Club.

A memorial service took place at Church of the Palms on November 25.

A memorial service took place Thursday, December 3, at Calvary United Methodist Church in Le Mars.

Survivors are his wife and two sisters, Dina Broek of Sioux Center and Betty Galles of Pella