Obituary of David Ernest Kemp

KEMP, David Ernest

"The first time she laid eyes on him she was certain he could not be human, rather something elemental, a behemoth, some wild crazed thing of storm-cloud and thunder raging across the stage, stamping the boards to splinters, fists like hammers raised up against the sky railing against Fortune. If there yet lived any gods upon Olympus, she knew they must hear him, and bow their heads in shame to his greater majesty..."

David Ernest Kemp passed away in his home in the early morning of April 26, 2017, now mourned and celebrated by his wife Susan, daughters Adrian and Stephanie, grandchildren Ada, Lily, Malachi and Finn, not to mention the dogs and the cats and everyone whose life he touched with his genius and with his compassionate humanity. Amongst all the accomplishments of his 81 years, David trained as an actor at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London (UK), and taught at Westminster College.  After three years working in provincial repertory theatres and with Brian Way's Touring Children's Theatre Company, he was appointed Assistant director of Drama at Dartington Hall College. He moved to St. Luke's College at Exeter University where he established their drama department.  In 1970 he came to Canada to teach summer school at Queen's University in Kingston and two years later was given a joint appointment between the Drama Department and the Faculty of Education; thereafter he served as the Associate Dean of Education and as Head of the Drama department for ten years, retiring as Emeritus Professor. He also worked in many international schools around the world--in Cambodia, Thailand, Australia, Denmark and Switzerland; directed professionally in Sri Lanka, Egypt, England and Denmark.  His one-man show, A Child Growing Up, was presented in over 50 countries worldwide. In his home near Kingston, audiences of the1000 Islands Playhouse knew him as one of the seminal members where he performed in over 100 shows in such roles as the Shakespearean Falstaff and Badger in Wind in the Willows. In another memorable performance at The Grand Theatre he brought Tevya, in Fiddler on the Roof, to life.  And through all of this he managed to author five books, officiate over 100 weddings and run a successful, if not obsessive, online book business (Parbury House Books.) For all who were blessed to have known him as a family member or friend, he was and will remain a thoroughly unique and legendary figure, long before he even deserved the status of legend, simply because he was just that from the very start.  We who have known him in greater or lesser degree will miss him always, and cherish the days of his life that we shared... A memorial service in celebration of the life of David Ernest Kemp will be held in the chapel of the JAMES REID FUNERAL HOME, 1900 John Counter Boulevard, Kingston on Friday, May 5 at 2:00 pm., with Reverend Brian Yealland officiating.  No visitation prior to the service however, David's family will receive friends during a reception in the James Reid Reception Centre following the service.  As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to O.S.P.C.A. (Lennox & Addington), in Mr. Kemp's memory.

Travel safely David...in Love and in Peace we will all meet again...