Longtime champion of NAME department, Stephen Kemp, passes away
Stephen Kemp (BSE 1969 NAME) has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on June 11, 2017 at his home in Whitemore Lake, Michigan. Steve was an accomplished Michigan NAME alumnus with 45 years of experience in the marine industry including working at Global Marine Inc., Chevron Shipping, and MTU Detroit Diesel. Steve has been an…
Stephen Kemp (BSE 1969 NAME) has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on June 11, 2017 at his home in Whitemore Lake, Michigan.
Steve was an accomplished Michigan NAME alumnus with 45 years of experience in the marine industry including working at Global Marine Inc., Chevron Shipping, and MTU Detroit Diesel. Steve has been an evangelical champion for the department, the profession, and most importantly our students. Steve not only provided our students with technical and professional mentorship, but he recognized the simple truth that given the proper opportunity our students can accomplish anything.
Steve was a very humble and private man and thus most of his generous actions flew well under the radar. Over the many years, Steve provided tuition support to students in need, arranged internships, provided travel support to students, helped students find jobs, and provided boundless energy and time to support students’ technical and professional endeavors. Even though Steve preferred anonymity, his department philanthropic activities became extensive and well known.
Over the last 3 years, he has provided scholarship support for 19 NAME undergraduates via the Robert J. and Evelyn T. Kemp Endowment. This endowment will provide the financial support needed to enable many future naval architects the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. As we mourn our loss, let’s not forget to celebrate all that Steve has brought to the department and our lives.
An engineering degree from Michigan, I believe, can be summed up in one word – opportunity.
Stephen kemp
1947-2017
When previously asked about his time in the department, he had this to say, “My degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering provided opportunities to me that I had not even thought about when I was growing up in a rural area of Upper Michigan. Upon graduation, I had job offers from all over the United States, and my career took me literally to almost all of the major metropolitan and regional ports in the country. An engineering degree from Michigan, I believe, can be summed up in one word – opportunity. If you apply yourself in school and put the effort into your classes, there are companies all over this country and the world who will recognize your skills and effort and provide you with an opportunity to do something good with it.” Stephen Kemp (1947-2017)
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