Barbara Ann Kemp (nee Smith), age 97, passed on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Barb was born on April 28, 1928 to Walter and Julia (Stropke) Smith in Gary, Indiana.
She attended Jefferson Elementary School then transferred to Emerson High School. She was a proud member of the graduating class of 1946. In high school Barb was involved in sports, band, drama and cheerleading. She later attended Indiana University.
In 1954 Barb married her soul mate Senior Master Sergeant Robert (Bob) Kemp and began her life as an Air Force wife. Together some of their stations included Homestead AFB, Florida, Travis AFB, California, Lockbourne AFB, Ohio, Morocco and Wiesbaden, Germany where she very much enjoyed traveling Europe.
After retiring from the service Mr. Kemp worked in real estate and was an instructor at Purdue University-North Central while Barbara became a respected representative in the sales department at Dwyer Instruments in Michigan City, Indiana where she worked for 20 years and found lifelong friends. They were well known for their 4th of July picnics near the beach at their home in Long Beach.
Barb is survived by her brothers W. Bruce Smith and Barry Smith, children Mark Kemp and Lisa Hebner, grandchildren Nicole West, Erik Hebner, Anya Hebner, Samantha Knotts and Jonathan Kemp along with great grandchildren and many treasured cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. She is preceded in death by her husband Bob and her son Bruce Kemp.
Visitation for Barbara will be on Thursday, March 26th from 1 – 3 pm at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 N. Roosevelt Rd. Valparaiso, Indiana, with a memorial service beginning at 3:00 pm. She will be interred with MSgt Kemp at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia at a future date.
Barbara was a loving and caring person who will be greatly missed.
GUESTBOOK
Kind and lovely. One of the first to greet me when I started working at Dwyer. Helpful and always gave great advice. -Debbie Evans
MY 7 YEAR OLDER SISTER,BARBARA ,LOVINGLY TOOK CARE OF ME WHEN I WAS YOUNG AND I REMEMBER ALL THE HIGH SCHOOL DANCES AT OUR HOME IN GARY. SHE WAS ALSO KIND TO INCLUDE IN MANY TRIPS TO GARY'S MILLER BEACH. I ENJOYED MANY YEARS VISITING HER IN LONG BEACH AND VALPARAISO. SHE WILL ALWAYS HAVE MY LOVE AND WILL BE MISSED. I SHARE MY SYMPATHY WITH HER FAMILY. -W. BRUCE SMITH
Barb is my mother's niece, but they were more like sisters as they were close in age. She was always a part of my life. We had a large extended family and got together often. Barb was loving, giving, caring, funny, smart and just plain fun to be around. She would do anything for you and always made sure everyone was comfortable. She and Bob welcomed you into their lives. She will be deeply missed by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. We love you, Barb. Rest in peace. -Melanie Gorden
It was a great pleasure to care for Barb, she was such a beautiful person. Rest in peace my friend.. Lisa I am so sorry for your loss, you took great care of your mom and she loved you dearly. -Lisa Taylor
Barbara was one of the sweetest, most caring ladies I have ever worked with. She could make us laugh at a moment's notice, such a pleasure to be around. When her grand child would come to visit her at Dwyer, I'll always remember how she would run down the office aisle, arms open, calling to Grandma. Barb was a treasure and a wonderful role model for all of us at Dwyer. We will miss her smiling face. Such a Wonderful Mother and Wife! -Kris Vallarano
