Frank A. Kemp was an anomaly, or at least that’s how his family likes to remember the cattle-herding, Yale-educated, mild-mannered politician.
Born in Denver on May 10, 1921, the third-generation Coloradan dedicated his life to his work, country, state and family.
He died Monday at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Polly; his sons, Frank and J. Hovey; and his grandsons, Matthew and Wilson.
Kemp attended East Denver High School. In 1942, he graduated from Yale University, where he played varsity football and rugby.
Sent to the Solomon Islands during World War II, Kemp was a highly decorated Marine, earning two Bronze Stars, a Silver Star, a Soldier’s Medal, a Gold Star and a Purple Heart before a shrapnel injury in Okinawa forced his return to the states.
“Being a Marine, being a leader in the military, he once joked that it was the only thing he was really good at,” Hovey said.
Kemp went to work with his father at the Great Western Sugar Co. in Denver, but left in 1949, moving to Grass Range, Mont., to pursue his passion for the livestock business.
In 1950, he returned to Denver, where he lived for the rest of his life.
Kemp remained in the livestock industry, commuting to work in northern Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and New Mexico until he retired in the late ’90s.
He was a member of the Colorado legislature from 1960 to 1970, serving three terms in the House and one term as a state senator.
In 1968, Kemp, a Republican, ran for Congress against incumbent Democrat Byron G. Rogers, who was seeking his 10th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. It was a time when Democratic voters outnumbered Republicans 3-to-2 in Denver.
Kemp lost the election by 8,558 votes, but wasn’t discouraged.
“Oh, sure, I’d like very much to try it again. That’s still a job I’d like to have,” said Kemp after the loss. “But I don’t think anyone can say in 1968 what he’ll do in ’70. Conditions change.”
It was the last time Kemp ran for public office.
His family will have a private burial, and plans for services are pending. The Kemp family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to charities.
