Dr. Gerald C Kempthorne

MISSOULA ~ Dr. Gerald C. Kempthorne, 92, of Missoula, Montana passed away on Monday July 17, 2023, at the Beehive Assisted Living, of natural causes. He was born on September 18, 1930, in Platteville, Wisconsin to Matie and Guy Kempthorne. He graduated from Dodgeville High School, Kansas State University, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Maryland where he received his Doctor of Medicine. Jerry then proudly served our country in the United States Navy where he served as a Naval Doctor. He shared memories of his time on the USS New Jersey. In 1962 he started his medical practice in Spring Green, Wisconsin where he served the community and state for over 30 years. During his medical career he was involved with the Wisconsin Medical Society where he received the Director’s Award in 1992, the highest award bestowed. He started the Impaired Physician Program that helped doctors receive treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction. He was very proud of this program. After retiring as a physician, Jerry served as the Medical Director of Wisconsin Physician Services. As a member of the Spring Green community, he was Founding Member of American Players Theatre and Gard Theatre, as well as active with the Lions Club, He married his beautiful Dutch wife, Maria (Miep) van Everdingen, in Holland in 1966, and they continued the active involvement in the Spring Green community that they both cherished until she was killed in an automobile accident in 1993. After losing the love of his life, Jerry retired and moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. Jerry enjoyed golfing, walking, playing his Steinway piano, writing letters, and emailing his friends, and hosting a martini club in his Scottsdale home. Above all else, Jerry loved his family - his boys, daughter-in-law, his two grandsons and granddaughter, and his Dutch family. He lived by a credo that he created. Simply stated: “A life lived without a worthy purpose is but an existence. ” He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Ray, and his beautiful wife Miep. Survivors include his two sons of Missoula, Ray and Guy (Krista), his two grandsons, Case of Oxford, Mississippi and Brett of Missoula, Montana and one granddaughter Ashley Garrymore of Twentynine Palms, California. Memorial with be held at Wisconsin Riverside Resort on Sunday August 13 from 12 to 2. Donations may be made to American Players Theatre.