Robert "Butch" Lowber Kemp Jr.
Robert “Butch” Lowber Kemp Jr., 66, passed away peacefully at the Anchorage Farm in Easton, MD, on Thursday, August 4, 2016. He was the son of the late Robert Lowber Kemp and Ann Cobb Kemp.
A devoted and loving husband and father, he is survived by his wife of 25 years, Janet Henderson Kemp, and his five children: Robert Miles Kemp and wife, Elisa; Willis Kemp; Rachel Kemp Pagliaro and husband Joseph; a stepdaughter, Jessica Saxl and husband Thomas Marsh; a stepson Christopher Saxl and wife Caroline; five grandchildren; and two brothers, Richard “Dick” Kemp and David “Drake” Kemp. He was predeceased by a sister Ann “Holly” Ford.
“Captain” Butch, as his friends called him, was well known for his love of sailing, classic boats, sea lore and old school navigation. He sailed the waters around the globe from his home port of the Miles River, the Chesapeake Bay, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Great Lakes, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean Sea, and Baltic Sea, to crossing the Atlantic Ocean in 18 days and 18 hours. He readily shared his knowledge of seamanship. This knowledge along with his patience and laughter exemplified his teaching ability.
Butch was also a storyteller. Either on the front porch of his self built house or in the cockpit of his boat, enjoying a drink, he would entertain and teach, sharing his sailing escapades, travels to Afghanistan, Iran, Nepal, India and Turkey, motorcycling across Morocco, and his love of the Eastern Shore. His collection of global garments and hats made an appearance quite frequently.
In the last two years of his life, Butch heroically fought glioblastoma, undergoing four brain surgeries, experimental treatments, and radiation. He faced this challenge head on, determined to live every day to the fullest, setting an incredible example for his family and friends. Butch was an inspiration to everyone that knew him and his positive attitude and humor were contagious.
He loved his family and was very intentional. He loved people and had a wide variety of friends from all walks of life who became extended family. He had overwhelming generosity. He was always there for his family and friends and would do anything to help them. He will be remembered for his unique attitude, calmness, power through gentleness, and love of life. He will be deeply missed.