Clifford Frederic Cempe

Clifford Frederic Cempe, 91, husband of Martha Ann (Harrigan) Cempe, of Raphine, passed away in his home on Monday, November 25, 2024. 
Cliff was born in Melrose, Massachusetts on January 18, 1933, a son of the late Gunnar Theodore Cempe and Alice Madeleine (Rourke) Cempe. A lifelong traveler, Cliff explored the rocky shores of Massachusetts to the sandy dunes of Saudi Arabia. A graduate of UVM of Burlington Vermont, the first one in his family to attend college, with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Cliff was a veteran of the United States Army, serving his country as a radio operator in Japan during the Korean War. He retired from Parsons Corporation as a Professional Mechanical Engineer. While in Saudi Arabia, he took his Life Scout rank to new heights by becoming a Scout Master of an International Troop. Once his travels returned him to the continental US, he spent many years as a substitute teacher at Riverheads High School and a volunteer at the Frontier Museum, taking joy in telling tales and educating the youth. Cliff had many pleasures in life, from exploring the great outdoors through sailing, hiking, scuba diving, mountain climbing to hunkering down at home with his children, grandchildren and great grandchild spending time in the garden and crafting models. 
In addition to his parents, Cliff was preceded in death by his brother, John Cempe. 
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Martha Ann; their three children, Sten Cempe and his wife, Judy, Robin Cempe, and Kristin Cempe; six grandchildren and one great grandson, Ethan Cempe and his wife Rebekah, Shannon Wyant and her husband Brad and their son Nash, Zachary Cempe, Victoria Cempe-Cohen, Benjamin West and his wife Veronica, and Kaitlyn Kelsey and her husband Andrew.
As per Cliff’s wishes, there will be no services. However, condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net. 
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is overseeing his arrangements.