Joe Kemker's Obituary
Joe Kemker at age 85 passed away on June 12, 2021. He was born in Nashville Tennessee. He served his country in the US Air Force. He graduated from the University of Tennessee, receiving his Masters degree and from the University of Denver, Colorado with a PhD in Audiology. He started his career at Vanderbilt University, Bill Wilkerson speech and hearing Center, Nashville Tennessee. He had a distinguished career as an audiologist at the University of Florida, where he served as chief audiologist for 28 years. He started the hearing aid program, universal newborn hearing screening program in the state of Florida, and started a cochlear implant program. He retired as full professor emeritus for the department of communicative disorders, University of Florida, 2003.
He was a founding member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church and served on the board for Catholic Charities.
Joe is proceeded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Vivian Marcella Kemker. He is survived by his sons, Bryan (Judy) Kemker, Brett (Denise) Kemker and Brad (Doris) Kemker and 4 grandchildren: Joe, Elizabeth, Nicholas and Cameron.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 10900 SW 24th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607 on July 27, 2021 at 10 AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorial donations be made to: Catholic Charities, 1701 NE 9th St, Gainesville, FL 32609.
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