From Jim Manion - NPC President
John was a man's man who made everyone feel like a friend from the first time you met him and he always greeted you with that firm handshake of his! Yes, my son J.M. said to me today that John still had that firm handshake and J.M. had the pleasure of knowing John for many years. I could go on and on about John as we shared many good times together over the last 30 years. My wife Debbie, my son J.M. and the whole NPC organization are deeply saddened today as we all had the pleasure of John’s company for many years. I will miss John tremendously and always remember him as a dear friend.
From Brad & Elaine Craig - NPC Officials and promoters
"The Bodybuilding world has lost a great ambassador to the sport with the passing of John Kemper! John lived and breathed the sport as a National Champion, Trainer, Gym Owner, NPC Vice President, NPC and IFBB Judge. We met John through the NPC and always looked forward to talking to him at the annual NPC Meetings over the past thirty years. John was always friendly, sincere, a gentleman and a genuine nice guy. He possessed qualities that are rare in the sport today or the world for that matter. We have fond memories of John and his wife Shirley each winning the Overall Titles at the 1987 Teens and Masters Nationals that we promoted. John and Shirley were great sports and agreed to do a television shoot prior to the show, to help promote the event. Even though they were tired from traveling from New Jersey to Seattle, they both agreed enthusiastically. John said, "However we can help you promote your show we are very happy to do it". At the show, they helped other competitors and promoted camaraderie in the backstage area. John would always make a point to call or send a card to see how we were doing over the following years. What a class act! We will miss John and so will all who had the privilege of knowing the man!"
From John Balik - Ironman Publisher
I met John Kemper by accident, the kind you describe as serendipitous as the encounter unfolds. I was working in New Jersey in 1977 and I was looking for a place to work out. I found him by dialing 411, remember dialing for information in pre Goggle times, that was it, if you were searching for a place to workout in a strange city. Bill Grant and Henry Jinks lived in North New Jersey, I knew them from their trips to LA in the 60’s and they had mentioned the name of a newly opened hard core gym-Diamond Gym -which I learned was about 10 miles from where I was working. What I found was not only a double storefront gym that was the hardest of the hard core but the friendship of John Kemper. John was a successful bodybuilder from the early 60's forward and opened this gym as a second job (an avocation really) to his profession as a school counselor. In a lot of ways the gym reminded me of the Division St. and early Duncan YMCA gyms created by Bob Gajda. Heavy iron, solid but basic equipment and a diverse group of men having great workouts all driven by a singular personality, this time it was the personality of John Kemper.
Like Bob Gajda's effort, John's gym membership ran from black to white and every shade in between, all united by the barbell and the openness and generosity of John . John was catholic in the sense that he was all embracing, his actions said, you are all welcome. A very special guy who walked the walk not only as a bodybuilder but as a human being. When I heard of his passing last week, I was swept back to that humble gym and the fun of being a part of something. John's club always meant something, stood for something because he did. These ensuing 35 years have done nothing to dim my first impression of John and in fact our meetings at various NPC/IFBB events that he was a judge at were always preceded by his solid handshake and engaging smile and gentle energy as he pulled you into his sphere. That is what I felt in 1977 on our first meeting and that is what I felt at our last in 2012 at the Arnold Classic. Many thousands have felt the power of his openness and will miss it, I do.
From Garry Bartlett -
When I first became interested in bodybuilding back in the mid 60's I studied every magazine at the time and one particular physique that really caught my eye was that of a young man by the name of John Kemper. John sported a nice symmetrical pleasing development, which inspired me to train with the goal of building a physique like his. At the time I never dreamed that many years later I would meet John. Dressed in his blue blazer he was a fixture at the IFBB Judging table at the numerous Pro shows I would cover. Always polite and courteous, John was a true gentlemen. His passion for bodybuilding was evident as he was always had time and enjoyed chatting about the current scene. The bodybuilding world has lost another of its ikons and he will be missed greatly. Take care my friend,
From Dr. Rafael Santonja - IFBB President
Attached to my first visits to Mr. Olympia and other professional American events in the 80’s is the clear image of our friend John Kemper, a true gentleman in his quiet demeanor and respectful friendliness. John was a loyal and dedicated IFBB official and judge. I will always have fond memories of him and would like to join his family in their prayers.
