Bridgewater Navy Veteran Had A Passion For Outdoors, Funeral Arrangements Set

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Funeral arrangements have been set for U.S. Navy veteran and Bridgewater native Matthew "Matt" Kemper, who was found dead on Feb. 17 following a month-long search in Nevada.

Kemper, 46, was found in Lincoln County, Nevada on Feb. 17 by Red Rock Search and Rescue team, an all-volunteer group. He was last seen on Jan. 5 at around 10:50 a.m. near the 11000 block of W. Charleston Boulevard in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said.

Born in Seoul, South Korea he was adopted by Gregory and Dianna Kemper (nee Munley) on August 28, 1980, and was raised in Bridgewater.

He graduated Immaculata High School, Class of 1994 where he was Varsity in Cross-Country and adored by his classmates.

Kemper went on to attend Raritan Valley Community College before enlisting in the United States Navy in 1996. He proudly served his country attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 82 aboard the USS George Washington where he worked on Aircrafts and was a Plane Captain.

Kemper joined the family business at Kemper Pontiac where he worked for a decade in finance and was familiar with all aspects of customer service and vehicles. He moved to Arizona in 2010 and worked in Utah at Glen Canyon Lake Powell National Park where he was in charge of Machinery Maintenance.

He had a passion for the outdoors and taking scenic photography of the beauty surrounding him. He enjoyed hiking, boating, and riding his motorcycles. Most of all, he enjoyed coming home to spend time with his family and friends, according to his obituary.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Bernard and Genevieve Kemper and his maternal grandparents Edward and Elizabeth Munley.

Surviving are his loving parents, Gregory and Dianna Kemper, his loving sisters, Luan and Amy Kemper as well as his many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and cherished friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 19, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 20, at The Church of The Immaculate Conception, 35 Mountain Avenue, Somerville. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home beginning at 9 a.m.

Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Somerville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Matthews’ memory to Red Rock Search and Rescue 340 Villa Monterey Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89145 Donate Online.

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