Dewey F. Kemp, a 40-year resident of Malibu, died on Dec. 6.
Kemp grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at a younger-than-usual age, and was proud of his achievement. Kemp came to California in 1938, and soon found employment at Hughes Aircraft in Culver City. He worked for Howard Hughes on the Spruce Goose and ate his sack lunch in the cockpit everyday.
In the early 1950s, Kemp and his wife, Nina, opened a small screw machine shop, which started out by receiving and subcontracting jobs from Hughes. After 25 years, they sold the business. Kemp, who was always inventing things, then designed a key ring with a quick-release attachment. He began manufacturing and selling the key rings until 1995, when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Kemp and his wife were active members of the Malibu Garden Club, Malibu Senior Citizen’s Club and Malibu Radio Controlled Soaring Society, where he built and flew his own gliders. Kemp won awards in 1990 and 1997 for longest duration of flight.
Kemp is survived by his wife of 58 years, his sister, Ethel Hansen, and his brother, Keith Kemp.
Memorial services will take place at Forest Lawn in Wee Kirk o’ the Heather in Glendale on Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m.