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Theodore L. 'Ted' Schempp Tamarac, FL QCWA # 16256 Chapter 12 |
Theodore Lee Schempp
Born in a homestead on the American Frontier on December 13, 1924, to the parents of Frank and Florence (Tyrrell) Schempp, Theodore Lee Schempp was the youngest of nine children. On the morning of Saturday, December 5, 2015, at the age of 90 years old, T. L. Schempp passed away. He had led a full and adventurous life, to include involvement in many of our nation's historical events, and was very active locally in his prime. Raised in Coeur D Alene, Idaho, he entered the Navy on December 13, 1941, six days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, where his ship was stationed at the time. After serving 4 years of active duty, he was stationed at the Naval Air Station (NAS), Miami, where he met Elizabeth May Pinder at the Nights of Columbus Dance, whom he wed six weeks later.
In the course of their 70 year marriage, he carried out two successful careers within Dade County, the first with the Miami Beach Police Department, and the second with the Metro Transit System, and was a loving father of three daughters. Through his career with the Department, he was very active and involved with the community and his personal life, as an active member of the United States Naval Reserve, joining the Free Masons, obtaining his Doctorate of Law with the University of Miami, became a lifetime member of the Bar Associations of Florida and Louisiana, and serving as a member of the faculties of the Dade Community College and the University of Illinois. During this time in his life, he also worked for the United States of America Department of Naval Intelligence, serving as a Lieutenant in the Operation of the Bay of Pigs. He retired from the Police Department as a Major in 1975, and moved on to work for the Metro Transit System as their Chief of Security, a position he held for the next 5 years. As he carried out his careers, he also took care of his family, consisting of his three daughters, Suzanne, Marilyn (Steve Goslin), and Linda (Robert Switzer). Combined, his daughters gave him five grandchildren, Christopher, Dawn (Mike Madruga), Theodore (Teddy), Jessica, and Olivia, as well as three great-grandchildren, Marcus, Angelia, and Ava.
After retirement in 1985, at the Naval rank of Commander, he continued to be an active member of the community, continuing his memberships with the Masonry and the Bar Associations. He also built upon his hobbies, dedicating his spare time to photography and operating a HAM Radio, for which he was an Volunteer Accredited Examiner. In his final years, he lived a quiet life, focusing on the well-being of his extensive family from his Tamarac, Florida home. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, his five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom remember him fondly.
