KEMME, DR. RICHARD JOSEPH
Dr. Richard Joseph Kemme, age 94, passed away Sunday, March 31, 2024. Richard was born March 20, 1930, in Denver, Colorado, the youngest child to Theodore and Sarah (Clark) Kemme. Richard married Mary Juliana Carney in 1957 in Cleveland.
Richard earned his pilot’s license at the age of fifteen and flew solo across the skies of Colorado. During college, he enjoyed Nordic ski jumping at Winter Park Ski Area. Richard passed down his love of downhill skiing to his children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. Richard also enjoyed climbing most of Colorado’s fourteeners.
Richard graduated from Regis High School in Denver, Regis University, and the St. Louis University School of Medicine. He completed a Residency Training in Orthopedic Surgery at St. Louis University then joined the Greeley Medical Clinic in 1961 as their first specialist in orthopedic surgery.
Since 1971, Richard developed, owned, and managed 270 affordable apartment units at three apartment properties in Greeley. Richard helped start the Greeley Area Chapter of Habitat for Humanity in 1978 and served on its board for ten years, including one year as president.
For twenty-five years after retirement, Richard travelled annually to Malawi, Africa, working with an Orthopedic Training Program. He served twelve years as chairman of Malawi Orthopedic Overseas.
In 1994, Richard chaired the Northern Colorado Medical Center Foundation and helped raise funds to build and operate the Monfort Children’s Clinic.
Richard led a Greeley Rotary Club fund-raiser for a small business loan program, Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA) in Malawi. In 2012, Richard was honored at the White House for his work in Malawi.
He was a charter member of the St. Mary Catholic Church in Greeley and served on the committee that developed the St. Mary Catholic School. He and Mary established a scholarship program for St. Mary’s students.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife, parents, a brother Theodore Kemme, a sister Marie Helene Raleigh and a sister Kathleen Raleigh.
He is survived by his children Mary Pat Valdes (Jerry), Sarah Kemme (Bill Anschuetz), Doug Kemme (Emily), Frank Kemme (Silvia), Kathleen Kemme (Fred Nash), and Tom Kemme. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren Kelly Valdes Schlosser (Brian), Shannon Valdes Leiderman (Michael), Jordan Kemme (Mia), Madeleine Kemme, Veronica Kemme, Sydney Kemme Nash, Dever Kemme Nash, Nathaniel Kemme Nash, and Sarah Kemme Nash; great-grandchildren Tucker Schlosser and Leo Kemme.
A Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Allnutt Funeral Service, Macy Chapel, 6521 W. 20th Street, Greeley, followed by a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 11:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greeley followed by interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Greeley. A reception will follow the committal service back at the Allnutt Reception Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity, St. Mary Catholic School Scholarship Fund, or Montfort’s Children’s Clinic in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 6521 W. 20th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634. Please visit www.allnuttgreeley.com to leave condolences for the Kemme family.