Dr. Gavin Kemp passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on March 24th, at the Saanich Peninsula Care Center. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Ruth, and 3 children. Gavin will be missed by son Neil (Patricia) and grandson Alex of Ottawa, his son Leon (Peggy) and granddaughters Bethany, Sarah and Grace of Calgary, and his daughter Catharine (Darryl) and grandchildren Raphael and Evangelina of Victoria. Gavin will also be missed by his two brothers Cpt. Frank (ret.) of Ottawa, and daughter Patricia; and Wally (Adele) of High River, Alberta and their children Martin and Lori.
Gavin was born March 18, 1926 in Olds, Alberta, to Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Kemp. He graduated from Olds Agricultural College in 1947 and graduated from University of Alberta with a B. Sc. in Agriculture in 1951. Gavin married his sweetheart, Ruth Sorensen, from Dickson, Alberta in 1951, and they took up residence in Lethbridge. Dr. Kemp’s entire career (1951 – 1988) was spent at the Lethbridge Agricultural Research Station, other than leave to obtain a PH. D. from U of Minnesota in 1961 and work exchange in England from 1968 to 1969. Gavin is best recognized within scientific circles for the development of cold-temperature tolerant tomatoes, and for upright field beans, which are grown extensively in western Canada today.
Gavin enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life, including photography, wood-working, stamp-collecting, nature-walking, and genealogy. Gavin’s green thumb was renowned, and he was well- known for the beautiful gardens he kept at his own home, and the gardens of St. Augustine’s Anglican Church in Lethbridge. He was always an active participant in community affairs, enjoying many clubs and activities, including the bridge club, Gourmet food club, and the Alberta Institute of Agrologists. Gavin always enjoyed orchestral music, and attended classical performances whenever possible. He was involved with the Anglican Church, in the choir, a licensed lay-reader, and a member of the vestry for many years. Gavin was also heavily involved with Scouting, the Nikka Yuko Garden (Japanese-Canadian Centennial project), including several stints as president, and the River Valley Development Committee in Lethbridge.
Gavin and his wife Ruth retired to Victoria, BC in 1988 where he made many friends, and enjoyed the longer growing season, and the beautiful scenery. In later years Gavin was involved in writing a family history book, advocating against genetically modified organisms, continued with his wood-working, and especially enjoyed his time with Raphael and Evangelina. A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church (Lakehill), at 2:00 PM on Monday, April 6th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Primate’s World Relief Fund.
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Wynter Langston
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Gregg Turner Dear Ruth and Family,
Sending my prayers and supportive wishes to you and your family.I always have appreciated the times we have spent together and look forward to those to come.
It is an honor.With Many Blessings, Gregg
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Eileen Connolly Dear Ruth,
I remember you from the days when my daughter Kath sang in the junior choir at St Augustine’s. I would like to express my condolences for your great loss. God keep and bless you and your family.
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Robert Kemp Patricia, Robert , Emma, Mark and their families send their love
and support to Ruth, Cathrine, Leon, Neal and their families.We fondley remember Gavin when we visited Canada showing us round Victoria and Waterton.
We also remember your time in England and samples sent to my Dad for testing in Worcestershire soil !!
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Dr. Hans-Henning Mündel Wanting to share some of Dr. Gavin Kemp’s plant breeding outputs during his time at Lethbridge:
Name Date of Release Centre Scientist (s)*
DRY BEAN:
Limelight 1968 G.A. Kemp
Green Limelight 1977 G.A. Kemp
AC Morden003 (navy) 2003 H.-H. Mündel, H.C. Huang,
G. Saindon , G.A. KempCHRYSANTHEMUM:
11 cultivars 1960 I. Nonnecke, G. A. Kemp
9 cultivars 1963 I. Nonnecke, G. A. Kemp
6 cultivars 1968 I. Nonnecke, G. A. KempMUSKMELON::
Early Gold 1964 G.A. KempTOMATO:
Earlinorth 1952 G.A. Kemp
Early Lethbridge 1953 G.A. Kemp
Earlicrop 1963 G.A. Kemptaken from:
Cultivars Developed or Introduced by the
Lethbridge Research Centre, of AAFC
(Lethbridge Research Station before;
Lethbridge Experiment Station before that;
Lethbridge Experimental Farm before that)
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*This list includes Lethbridge Research Centre breeder, pathologist and affiliated staff only. Cooperators from other agencies and locations have been involved with the development of many of the cultivars listed above.– updated 2005-10-12 by LRC breeders, H-H . Mündel (editor), with
S. Acharya, B. Bizimungu, and R. Graf.Sincerely,
Dr. Hans-Henning Mündel
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Dianne Simons Dear Ruth and family, my heartfelt condolences on your loss of Gavin. I think of you often, Ruth. I remember you saying, “mothers get their reward in heaven”….well, Ruth, I am just recovering from a serious septic/renal failure problem. And I got my Mother’s reward this month. My children were by my side at the hospital (Foothills) and in Medicine Hat. I am slowly recovering, still very weak, but much improved.
God bless you and your family, giving you strength for this trying time.
Sincerely,
Dianne Simons
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Dr. Hans-Henning Mündel My heartfelt condolences to Ruth and relatives of Gavin’s!
When I joined the Research Station at Lethbridge in 1978, I soon met Gavin and enjoyed his vitality. Indeed – the first trip he invited me to join him to the substation in Vauxhall, with Gavin driving – we had not yet reached Coaldale (i.e. less than 5 km travelled of 55 km) and were stopped by the police for speeding. Thus was my introduction to Gavin – if involved in discussing plant breeding, all else paled and lost in importance!
When Gavin retired – I was asked to take over the bean breeding program, part-time. Then we hired Dr. Gilles Saindon who ran that program for 8 years; followed by my full-time involvement in bean breeding for another 11 years. By now – almost 100% of the small red (used to be called ‘Red Mexican’), black and great northern beans grown in southern Alberta are from our joint program. And pintos are making rapid inroads. Also, Manitoba and irrigated Saskatchewan is growing some of our varieties. When I retired in 2007, Dr. Parthiba Balasubrmanian, a capable, bright your scientist took over. We can consider Gavin as our Alberta bean breeding ‘granddaddy’.
We will miss him!
Hans-Henning Mündel
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Judi Reed (Powell) Dear Ruth, Leon, Catherine, and family…
Jennifer and I send our love and condolences to you and the whole family as you remember and celebrate Gavin’s life. We have many happy memories of the times we spent together in ministry at St. Augustines. We were saddened to learn of Gavin’s passing.
Our prayers are with you.Judi Reed (Powell) & Jennifer Tiffin (Karch)
Ruth, it was with great sadness that I received your message about Gavin. I know that he is at peace. It was a priviledge for me to get to know him. He was a great man and his legacy will live on forever. May his memory bring peace and love to you and your family.
Love,
Wynter