DAVID P. KAEMPFER

David P. Kaempfer, age 74 of Cape Girardeau, passed away Thursday, October 21, 1999, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Mr. Kaempfer was born August 31, 1925, in Cape Girardeau, the son of William C. and Theora Kaempfer. On August 31, 1975, he married Mary Jo Pratt Ludwig.

Following graduation from Cape Central High School in 1943, he entered the U.S. Navy. A graduate of Southeast Missouri State, Mr. Kaempfer, until he retired in 1990, spent his professional life in radio, television, advertising and public relations including his employment at Missouri Utilities and KZIM radio station.

His lifelong interest in music and theater began as a member of the youth choir at First Presbyterian Church and continued in high school and college as he played in dance bands. In 1994, he began making sets for plays at Southeast Missouri State University and assisting theater students. Also the author of plays, Mr. Kaempfer won the Missouri Playwright Association's Playwright of the Year Award in 1998.

As a lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church and of the choir for the past 25 years, he has made new arrangements of traditional hymns for vocal and instrumental performances and has served as a deacon, elder and member of the fellowship and media committees and church camp counselor.

Mr. Kaempfer's civic activities included: the Chamber of Commerce, Vision 20000, past president of the Community Concert Association, Red Cross blood services, River City Players, announcer for the Municipal Band summer concerts for two years, volunteer at Southeast Missouri Hospital, the Southeast Missouri Hospital Association, clown ministry with his wife for We Can Weekend, and the Southeast Hospice choir.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jo, daughter, Kim LeCroy and her children Chrissy and Patrick Butler of Fayetteville, N.C.; daughter Debbie Hinman of Branson, MO, and her son, daughter-in-law and grandson, Robert, Stephany and Justin Hinman of Little Rock, Ark.; son Douglas Kaempfer of Cape Girardeau; daughter Stacy Blunk and husband John of Hollister, Mo.; son Christopher Kaempfer, his wife Charity and daughter Caylee of Hollister, Mo.; stepson Tim Ludwig and wife Lynn of Springfield, Mo. and daughters Jennifer and Heather Ludwig of Anniston, MO.; and foster son, Omar Aziz, formerly of Pakistan, Lisa Aziz and their sons, Ibraham and Humza.

Visitation will be Friday, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Saturday, 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church with the Revs. Hugh V. Stewart and Frederick T. Schmucker officiating. Entombment will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Southeast Missouri Hospital, the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, or the Southeast Missouri State University departments of drama or music.