Richard (Dick) A. Kemske

Richard (Dick) A. Kemske passed away peacefully on May 27th, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Wilmington, DE in 1930 to Emil and Merle Kemske, he was the youngest of seven children.

Dick was predeceased in 2011 by his loving wife of 58 years, Bonnie A. Kemske.  Also preceding him in death are his 4 brothers, John (Jack) C. Kemske, Colonel Harry F. Kemske, USA Major Robert P. Kemske, USAF CWO William M. Kemske, USN; two sisters, Pauline Sharpe and Emily Jedlicka Anthony; and granddaughter–in-law, Amy Sue Kemske.

He grew up in Wilmington and graduated from P.S. DuPont High School in 1948 where he played both football and basketball. He also attended the University of Delaware.  He served four years in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War aboard the aircraft carrier USS Monterey.  He married his childhood sweetheart Bonnie in 1952.  He retired from Exxon Corp. as a Senior Marketing Representative in 1986 after 35 years.  He then became affiliated with Newport Ventures Inc. as an officer and Director until December 2013.  He was a member of American Legion Stahl Post #30 New Castle, DE since 1963. He was a member of the Calvary Presbyterian Church since 1961 where he served as a Deacon for many years.  He coached baseball in both the Suburban Little League and Babe Ruth League for 13 years.  He was also a member of the Wilmington and Newark Touchdown Clubs.  He took up photography as a hobby in later years and could often be seen roaming the sidelines of his grandchildren’s athletic events taking pictures and making photo albums for his grandkids and their friends.  The family and friends had many gatherings at their beach house.  Everyone enjoyed the boat rides and crabbing off the dock.  Music was also a big part of his life; he and Bonnie always enjoyed listening to their sons bands.  He was an avid walker until he recently became ill. He was a very giving and thoughtful person who gave generously to numerous charities and organizations.

Dick is survived by three sons: Glenn and his wife, Barbara(Bobbie), Gregg and his wife, Nancy, both of Wilmington, and Gary and his wife, Darlene, of Eugene, OR; ten grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren:  Eric Kemske and his fiancé Eileen McCoy and their children Morgan, Alyssa, Sean, Katelin, Shelby and Abby; Leslie and Mike Mulshenock and their children Addison, Sophia and Frankie; Laurie and Kiel Drake and their children Alec and Weston; Michael Kemske and his fiancé Gia Patrone; Brad and Courtney Dedon and their children Lawson and Laramie; Drew Dedon; Jennifer and Dave Gordon, Ashley Kemske, Abigail Kemske and Hanna Kemske.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, June 4, 2018 at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808, where family and friends may visit beginning at 10:00am. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dick’s memory can be made to Delaware Hospice, 16 Polly Drummond Center, 2nd Floor, Newark, DE 19711 or online at www.delawarehospice.org.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard (Dick) A. Kemske, please visit our floral store.