"Dear Alan Kemp family members; I was shocked to hear Alan died. I will miss Alan for a lot of great reasons. During the past 10 years, Alan contacted me from time to time to rehash old memories and it was always good to hear from him. His children and grandchildren were always a favorite topic of conversation. Alan was a member of our band, the Echoes of Night, (late 60's). We were just kids, but we had a great time together and kept busy with gigs in Southeast Iowa. Late hours and girlfriends and travel, setting up, tearing down, getting paid too little and not caring about it. I remember Mr. Kemp loading the van every weekend. He got a kick out of hauling all our instruments and he had a full time job keeping Alan out of trouble. Alan could sing loud and he knew most of the words. That's the best thing I can say about his voice. But his best years as a musician were ahead of him. I was planning on seeing Alan this summer when I came back home. It would have been a great trip down memory lane. Alan; always upbeat, a lot of fun and a positive out look on life. My sincere condelences to his family. John Hutchcroft (an old Echoe) Holt, Michigan "
In loving memory of
Alan Kemp
September 26, 1950 - May 12, 2013
Mr. Alan Kemp, 62, died unexpectedly on Mother's Day weekend in his home.
Born September 26, 1950 in Burlington, Iowa, he was the son of Leon and Dorothy Younk Kemp.
Alan attended Burlington High School and graduated from Notre Dame. He was a past member of First United Church of Christ. On October 10, 1970 Alan married Eileen L. Darnold and they later divorced.
Alan worked as a custodian for Burlington High School for the last 12 years, earlier in life he was an owner/operator of K&M Antenna Service and manager of Kemp's Bicycle Shop.
Alan was passionate about his music and entertaining his entire life. He was often found repairing amps and guitars or even building guitars. Alan was a member of Vancrafters, building custom vans and a hobby photographer. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his mother Dorothy, two daughters, Ali Carissa Westfall (Mark) of Burlington and Jennifer Eileen Lanham (Christopher ) of Clayton, NC; one sister, Linda Turley (Larry) and one brother, Dean Kemp (Maureen) all of Burlington; and five grandchildren, Caleb, Brayden, Cody, Blake, Annarose.
Alan was preceded in death by his father.
Friends may call from noon until 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16th, at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m.
The Celebration of Life for Mr. Kemp will be at 10 a.m. Friday May 17th, at First United Church of Christ, with the Rev. JudyAnn Morse officiating. Inurnment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington. The Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military rites.
A memorial has been established to Burlington High School Music Department.
Cremation has been entrusted to Lunning Chapel and Burlington Wilbert Crematory.
Tributes
"Alan was a wonderful uncle to me, growing up. He was so wonderful to my daughter Mattea. I have to many special memories of him. My daughter drew a picture for school and Alan wanted her art work ,he said he never ever seen something so special on paper. His smile will never be forgotten."
"My brother and I were fortunate enough to have known Alan for roughly the last 10 years. Being local musicians we would run into eachother quite often eventually striking up a friendship. Alan was a huge supporter of anyone who believed in music. I remember long conversations with Alan about music and life in general. I recall going on jogs and seeing Alan mowing at BHS and stopping to visit with him. He was never too busy to spend a few moments with you. Alan was a treat to have as an audience member because you always knew Alan would deliver the truth about your music. Alan never missed a moment to compliment a performer or deliver constructive criticism that always came with the best of intentions. I recall a time when Alan texted my phone letting me know he was playing a retirement show in Fort Madison over the weekend and wanted to know if I could attend. I was lucky enough to be able to make part of that show even though I had to work that evening. I got to visit with Alan and noticed he had a smile on his face from ear to ear. A guy like Alan never truly retires from his passion. Alan once obtained a ludwig "vistalite" drum set vintage model. Being a drummer, Alan let me know right away what he had. Alan was then kind enough to let me into his home to play them! I had a blast! then shortly after I got "it" outta my system, Alan and I sat down with guitars and he showed me (a drummer with no guitar skill lol) the chords to "how I wish you were here" by pink floyd. I will never forget these moments. I am proud to call him my friend and I speak for myself and my family when I say he will be sorely missed. I will be praying for his family and his beloved Grandchildren. God Bless. -Brent Gibbs"
"I only knew Alan for a few years but was a very loyal friend as we shared a passion for guitars and gear. He would frequent my business (The Guitar Farm) and most times it was just talking Guitars, music and sometimes people. He was devoted to his family and to his love of music. Alan you will be missed but your memory will live on in the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! See you on the Dark Side Of The Moon......."
"Alan was such a good man. If you needed help....he was there. Whether he was the first person you told about your wife's cancer, needed a ride home or just an ear to listen; he was there. When Krista lost her hair due to chemo...guess who shaved his head in support. We love and miss you Alan."
"I remember Allen and his support and influence over many years. Many times I was going to give up on my music while I was in the military, but every time I would come home and see Alan, he always encouraged me to stay with it. After I moved back to burlington a few years ago I got a chance to really know the man and what an amazing man he was. Always eager to help a fellow musician or friend in any way possible. i will definitely miss him, R.I.P. Alan and my prayers go out to his family. God Bless"
"I remember meeting Alan one night at the Dug Out when he saw me come in wearing a Fender T-shirt. Shortly after that, his bass player died in an accident coming home from a gig. I offered him one of my old strats to raffle off in drawing where the proceeds went to Kacey's family. Before the event, I devised a plan for us to go backstage and get the guitar autographed by the Los Lonely Boys. He about peed himself when the security guy asked us for our backstage passes we didn't have and I told him that their manager sent us back here to get the guitar autographed for a good cause. When he met the Los Lonely Boys, I remember seeing a tear run down his cheek because he was so excited to meet a group of musicians he respected so much because they wanted to do anything the could for Kasey's family. It was a point in my his life and mine that will forever be remembered. "
"I enjoyed hanging out at the Kemps while playing with my best friends Ali and Jennifer. Alan was a great dad and friend to me. He just recently fixed my guitar and while I was there he showed off all his pictures of his grandchildren. I loved going to hear him play music and I always thought he was so talented. We liked to quote Pink Floyd and joke around. I will miss him!"
"Sending our condolences from the Schmeiser-Morales family. We miss you, Alan - keep on rocking in Heaven, my friend!"