Paul Hempen Obituary

Paul Herman Hempen

Born: February 15, 1923; in Aviston, IL

Died: August 7, 2017; in Lakewood, CO

Paul Herman Hempen, a longtime resident of Elmhurst, IL, passed away on August 7, 2017 in Lakewood, CO, at the age of 94.

He was born in Aviston, IL, on February 15, 1923. Paul served in WWII in the Army Artillery as a T/5 technical staff sergeant in the South Pacific. After military service, he earned a college degree in television engineering at the American Television Laboratory in Chicago. He married Lorraine Florence Fleming on May 28, 1949. Paul had a long and successful career at NBC TV in Chicago as a technical director and field supervisor. Highlights for Paul were televising the Queen Elizabeth II visit to Chicago in 1959, and the Great Debate between presidential candidates John F Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960 in Washington, D.C. In 1968, he helped design and build Chicago's 1st color mobile unit, and then traveled all across the U.S. to televise sporting and political events.

Loving father of Carolyn (David) Deverell and Jeanne (David) Homiak; Grandfather of Marianne (Andrew) Parrish, Kelly (Bryan) Hassler, Paul Deverell, Krista Homiak, Lisa (Ryan) Debits, and Erik Homiak; Great Grandfather of Rebekah, Norah, Carson and Caleb Parrish, and Hudson, Cohen, Leo, and Benjamin Hassler.

Paul was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lorraine (nee Fleming); parents, Fred J. and Monica (nee Hustedde) Hempen; brothers, Boyd (the late Barbara), Cletus (Mary Anne), and Joseph (Betsy) Hempen, and is survived by his sister, Dorothy (the late Justin) Vandeloo.

His love, guidance, humor, and interesting stories will be remembered and greatly missed, as well as his adept skills at playing bridge, Rummikub, and Wii bowling!

A private celebration of life will be held for close family with interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.