Albert “Bert” Kemp’s legacy is one of service, hard work, and lasting generosity. He was just one of 25 students in Mahomet Community High School’s Class of 1938, yet he would go on to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he earned his undergraduate degree in dairy science from the Department of Animal Sciences in 1942.

His formative undergraduate education set Bert up for a successful career and the means to one day give back to the institution that gave him his start in life. 

Next, Bert enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as a radar navigator on B-24 bombers that flew over Germany. He retired as a First Lieutenant in 1945 at the end of World War II. Upon returning home, Bert resumed his education, earning a master’s degree in dairy science from Illinois in 1947.

Soon after, he went on to the University of Wisconsin Madison to earn a doctorate in 1950; his thesis, titled “Separation of Fractions and Components of Non-Casein Proteins in Milk.” 

His dedication led him on his next adventure, and he joined the research department at Dean Milk Company, which later became Dean Foods. It was here that he met his wife Carol, a fellow agriculture enthusiast from Winnebago County. 

In 1966, Bert began working for Crest Foods in Ashton, Illinois, where he quickly became an essential part of the team. Just a year later, Bert and three colleagues purchased the company. 

“This partnership brought new energy and passion to Crest that brought the contract packaging business into existence in 1969 packaging coffee whitener for Dean Foods,” according to a Crest Foods article. 

Throughout his career, Bert deeply valued the connections and skills he gained at Illinois, always intending to give back to the institution. Sadly, he passed away on October 31, 1999, after battling a brain tumor.

Years later, his wife Carol, has honored Bert's wishes by making a significant donation to the College of ACES. She carefully calculated the value of the gift as it would be today and contributed the full amount. This donation is a tribute to Bert's successful career in the food industry and his appreciation for his Illinois education. 

The Kemp Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to support students in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition with financial need, reflecting Bert’s belief that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to pursue education. His legacy continues to make a meaningful impact, helping future generations access education.