Louis Walter Kempf
Louis Walter Kempf (1898-1947)
1947 Obituary [1]
Louis Walter Kempf, assistant director of research of Aluminum Research Laboratories, died in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A., on 14 June 1947, after an extended illness.
Mr. Kempf had achieved international recognition as a scientist, author, and inventor during the 23 years he was associated with the Aluminum Company of America. He was a member of the American Society for Metals, the American Society for Testing Materials, the American Foundrymen's Association, and the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers.
Mr. Kempf was elected in 1946 to the Chairmanship of the A.I.M.M.E.'s Institute of Metals Division. He became a member of the Institute of Metals in 1936.
Born in Luther, Mich., on 22 March 1898, Mr. Kempf obtained his early education in Michigan public schools. After graduating from high school, he acquired industrial experience with Continental Motors, Studebaker Corporation, and the Dodge Motor Company. With America's entry into World War I, Mr. Kempf enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving overseas with the 8th Aero Squadron. Upon his discharge in May 1919, he entered the University of Michigan, where he gained both the B.S. and M.S. degrees.
In 1924, Mr. Kempf became associated with the Aluminum Company of America as a research metallurgist. Six years later, he was placed in charge of the Cleveland Metallurgical Division Of Aluminum Research Laboratories. His exemplary work brought him promotion in 1943 to the managership of the Cleveland branch of Aluminum Research Laboratories, a post he held until his appointment in 1945 as assistant director of research for Aluminum Research Laboratories.
Mr. Kempf was inventor or co-inventor of numerous Alcoa aluminium alloys. A learned and prolific writer, he was the author of many technical papers and metallurgical treatises now regarded as "standard references" in the aluminium industry. The versatility of his tastes and interests extended from reading English literature, a field in which he was something of an authority, to amateur photography and classical music. He made a hobby of producing his own photographs of northern Ohio rural scenes, and possessed an excellent collection.
Mr. Kempf leaves a widow and son. GORDON C. MEEK.