Harold Martin Kempen

Harold Martin Kempen, known as “Harry” in his younger years and later as “Hal,” passed away on January 15, 2026, surrounded by family. He lived a full life devoted to family and marked by love of learning, humor, hard work, and deep care for those around him.

Hal was the son of Pete and Marie Kempen, a young Catholic couple of Dutch descent who already had three young children at home on their small farm near Kaukauna, Wisconsin. They might have been surprised when two babies and not just one were born to them on July 18, 1929. Hal and his fraternal twin brother Gerald (“Jerry”) were the fourth and fifth of ten children. Like many twins, Hal and Jerry shared a lifelong bond, staying closely connected until Jerry’s passing in 2023. 

Hal grew up attending the one-room schoolhouse at Military Junction in Buchanan, Wisconsin, in the vicinity of Appleton. Almost half of the students were his own siblings, and he loved telling stories of how the wide age range in the classroom allowed him to sneak ahead academically—learning advanced math with the older kids when he was technically supposed to be practicing reading and writing. He and Jerry were fiercely determined to maintain perfect attendance through every Wisconsin weather challenge, and they succeeded.

During the Korean War, Hal served in the U.S. Army, where he trained as a forward observer for a nuclear artillery unit. Fortunately, the country’s leaders decided against nuclear artillery, and Hal was never deployed— otherwise, the rest of the story may not have come to pass since the average survival of a forward observer was only about 30 minutes. He rose to the rank of Captain after attending officer training school alongside mostly college-educated peers, which inspired him to pursue higher education. At age 25, Hal became the first in his family to attend college, earning a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from the University of Wisconsin. He then made the bold move to California to begin graduate studies in Agricultural Science at UC Davis. However, he soon discovered his true calling in practical agricultural research, focusing on weed control—first at the Shafter Experiment Station, and later as a Farm Advisor with the University of California Cooperative Extension in Bakersfield.

Soon after moving to Bakersfield, Hal met Frances Jean Elliot—whom he lovingly called “my Francie from Florida,” the title of a poem he wrote for her. Frances, the eldest daughter of a banker from DeFuniak Springs in the Florida panhandle, had been recruited to teach elementary school after graduating from Agnes Scott College in Atlanta. Hal and Francie were married in December 1961 at the First Presbyterian Church in DeFuniak Springs.

They built their life together in Bakersfield, California, where Hal served for 29 years as the University of California’s weed specialist farm advisor. He authored over 100 publications and contributed significantly to agricultural science. He also served his community through East Bakersfield Rotary, the advisory committee for the Kern High School District, as well as other volunteer positions and service boards.

Hal and Francie raised two children: John Harold (born 1966) and Laura Charlotte (“Laurie”) (born 1967). John later became a medical professor, and Laurie a professor of French and world literature. Hal took great pride in both.

After nearly 40 years of marriage, ended by Francie’s untimely death in 2001, Hal began spending more time in Seattle near Laurie, who was expecting her first child. He became a beloved presence at family gatherings, and before long, everyone noticed a spark between Hal and Laurie’s mother-in-law, Diana Behler. Their relationship grew into Hal’s second great love.

Hal and Diana built a joyful life together, filled with family gatherings, time with grandchildren, gardening, and travel. Hal cherished his role as a grandfather and delighted in his nine grandchildren and extended family. He and Diana enjoyed a beautiful relationship for over twenty years.

After Diana became ill, Hal lovingly cared for her until her death in 2024. Following a hip fracture in September 2025, Hal’s health declined, and he passed away a few months later. We will deeply miss him and always cherish our memories of him.

Hal was preceded in death by his wife Frances Jean Elliot Kempen; his partner Diana Elisabeth Ipsen Behler; his parents Peter and Marie Kempen; his stepmother Mary Kempen; and eight of his nine siblings (brothers Marvin, Boniface “Bonnie,” Gerald, Paul, and Richard “Dick” Kempen and sisters Lorna Van Handel, Arlene Bruecker, and Janice Nettekoven).

He is survived by his son John Kempen (Lori Beth Longenecker Kempen) and their children Christopher John Kempen, Natalie Marie Kempen, and Peter Joseph Kempen; his daughter Laura Charlotte Kempen (Catherine Horne) and children Maya Frances Behler Kempen and Marius Viktor Kempen Behler; his stepdaughters Sophia Behler (Gerard Stannard) and Caroline Behler (Paul Klein) and their children Andre and Alexa Stannard, Marley Klein, and Stella Klein; his sister Laverne Wiegert and sister-in-law Sue Datta; Francie’s sister Pam Reinhart (Phil Reinhart) and brother John Elliot (Barbara C. Elliot), as well as more than 55 beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to all Hal’s caregivers, especially Jannet Corwin and Mary Ann Herboldt, who became like family to him and to all of us.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

1. Sight for Souls, a vision development nonprofit founded by John Kempen through the New Horizons Foundation: (https://admin.newhorizonsfoundation.com/donation/create/1541; or by check placing a post-it indicating it should be used for the Sight for Souls project: The New Horizons Foundation; 731 Chapel Hills Dr.; Colorado Springs, CO 80920

2. The Nature Conservancy, in support of its campaign to plant a billion trees: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/plant-a-billion/ 

Hal’s life was one of love, learning, humor, service, and devotion to family. We will miss him always.