Michael “Mike” Jacob Nakamori Kempf, 45, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend passed away after a three year battle with cancer on December 29, 2025 surrounded by friends and family. A man of tremendous character defined by love for his family, loyalty to friends, quick wit, numerous talents, athleticism, and quiet strength and determination, he was admired and respected by all who knew him.

Born on August 31, 1980, at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the son of Jim and Tomoko Kempf, and brother to Kathryn (Kempf) Burke. The family moved to France for a year, and then to Frostburg, MD later settling in Montgomery Village, MD.

Mike attended Watkins Mill High School in Gaithersburg, MD from 1994-1998. In addition to excelling academically, Mike was a member of the Baseball and Football teams holding several team and D.C. area records. Mike’s childhood friendships cultivated at this time lasted throughout his adult years.

Mike then headed to the Midwest to attend Washington University in St. Louis (“WashU”), MO. At WashU, he majored in Electrical Engineering, was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and played Varsity Football for four years, including starting as cornerback and safety for three years. Mike also earned All-Conference Honors his senior year. Many of his teammates remained close life-long friends.

Upon graduating from WashU in 2002, Mike returned to the D.C. area to work at EDO Corporation. During that time he met a fellow engineer Emma White. They dated for several years including when Mike went to New York City to attend Columbia University and received his Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering in 2008.

He returned to work in Maryland for the TSC Corporation, a preeminent radar engineering and research advisory company for over fourteen years. He spent his final professional years working for the federal government at the Department of War.

Mike and Emma were married on June 23, 2012. The couple remodeled an 1864 Civil War era house in Capitol Hill. They found time to travel the country and visit abroad. They explored ski mountains across the U.S., and vacationed in Europe, Japan, and many Caribbean Islands. In 2016 the couple welcomed their first child, son Malcolm. Three years later, daughter Pearl was born. His two children were his greatest love and interest. Becoming a father was a profound joy, and he relished every milestone and event in their lives. In the summer of 2025 the family moved to Arnold, MD.

Mike is survived by his devoted wife, Emma, children Malcolm and Pearl, parents Jim and Tomoko, sister Kathryn, brother-in-law Dan, nephews Jackson and Dillon, in-laws Craig and Cheryl White, and countless other family and friends.

Memorial Service details: A memorial service will be held for Michael at 3:00 p.m. on January 17, 2026 at St. Anne’s Parish: 199 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

In lieu of flowers, Mike requested that donations be made to Stand Up To Cancer: http://fundraise.standuptocancer.org/MichaelKempf