A nationally recognized leader in the home building industry, and one of St. Louis community, Kemp died at his home in Creve Coeur surrounded by family and friends, on July 1, 2004. St. Louis - Modest, gracious, spirited and unassuming, Kemp was passionate about life, architecture, family, playing piano, tennis and collecting classic Mercedes Benz automobiles. Kemp was known for innovation in the design and building industry, initially founding Kemp Homes to apply contemporary Architecture to suburban home development, and building well designed affordable housing throughout the St. Louis area. National recognized for design excellence by House and Home Magazine, American Builder, and American Home magazines and numerous local Homer awards, Kemp built a reputation for designing and building exciting yet timeless homes through honesty and integrity in design, quality construction and workmanship with union trained carpentry and foundation crews. Each home was designed to fit the natural opportunity of the land area, emphasizing indoor outdoor relationships, and continuing excitement long after community completed. Kemp introduced many new concepts to the St. Louis community in the 10,000 homes built since his start in 1952. Kemp was first to design communities with private parks and swimming pool (Robin Wood), first to market new homes with billboards, radio and television, first to plan for permanent broad open spaces, referred to as common ground within his communities (Oak Tree Farm - 1965), first to build zero lot line homes (Country Lane Woods - 1973). The Kemp Auto Museum scheduled to open in late Fall of 2004, celebrates the architects appreciation of the Mercedes motor car as a thing of beauty and ultimate example of form following function in the rare and classic care collection of over fifty cars. Established by the Fred M. Kemp Foundation, a "not for profit public benefit corporation,"the Museum will showcase Mercedes and other manufacturer's fine motor cars spanning one hundred years. The 24,000 square foot facility located in Chesterfield Valley is under construction and plans include an auditorium, restoration center, catering facilities, and outdoor plaza. Kemp served as Home Builders Association President (1965 - 1966), Trustee (1966 - 1975) and Nation Lifetime Director, advancing professional rapport between builder and associates, forming the Home Builders Industry Advancement Fund to support agency projects and objectives. Kemp was recognized for his contribution in 1997 with the distinguished HBA "Excellence of Achievement Builder Award. Alumnae and strong supporter of Washington University School of Architecture, Kemp was appointed to Washington University's National Council for the School of Architecture to advise on vision, development and design of proposed Visual Arts and Design Center, and co-chair of the Major Gift Committee, creating the Kemp Challenge to encourage giving to the annual fund. The School distinguished Kemp's lifelong professional achievement, and dedicated with the prestigious Dean's Medal for Service in 2000. Optimism, talent, honest hard work, guts, integrity and steadfast determination from Fred Kemp created a legacy of accomplishments to the St. Louis Community, Kemp homeowners, peers, friends and family will enjoy for many years to come. Born of German immigrant parents in 1926, Kemp graduated from Soldan High School, then served in the United States Navy. Fascination with the architectural drawings hanging at Washington University 's School of Architecture decided the professional course of Kemp's career, graduating in 1950. Parallel interests in mechanics and engineering design would find Kemp later flying airplanes, racing fast cars, on newly poured streets at developments with his brother, Joe, and eventually lead to his lifelong avocation of collecting Mercedes Benz motor cars, and, perhaps, the finest collection of classic Mercedes Benz cars in North America. Family members and close friends have contributed to the success of Kemp Homes over the years: brother, Joseph D. Kemp, past Vice President of Construction; the late Raymond G. Bustamante, past Ground Acquisition and Development; John Cottrell past Interior Design; Jack Stern, past Community Sales Manager (and great bass player); Ira Walker, past Controller; sons: Fred Kemp III, past Marketing Director, and Bill Kemp, present Excavation and Grading; daughters: Joan Kemp Carter Dolan, past Interior designer, and Liz Kemp Elze, present Vice President of Multi Family Communities; nephews: John Kemp, past Community Superintendent; and long term associates: Frances Regalia, Senior Bookkeeper, and Sharon Donald, bookkeeper, to name a few. Music and jazz piano playing rounded his creative talents; Kemp loved a good tune and melody and was a member of the local musicians union. He played piano professionally at area clubs around the St. Louis area, enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow musicians, and played spontaneously when celebrating and relaxing. Kemp played tennis regularly, and was active in Triple A Golf and Tennis club in Forest Park, and Creve Coeur Racquet Club. Kemp was a recent newlywed and is survived by wife Susan, six children, twelve grandchildren, and great deal of love and admiration. St. Louis Post-Dispatch July 3, 2004