Obituary of Richard C. Lempi

Richard C. Lempi, 58, of Duluth, passed away Monday, Jan. 4, 2016, at the Solvay Hospice House surrounded by his family. Rick was born Sept. 23, 1957, in Duluth, to Dr. Roy Lempi and Dorothy Lempi. Rick married Pamela Johnson in Duluth, on Aug. 12, 1978, they enjoyed 37 years together. He graduated from Duluth Central, attended UMD, and graduated from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in 1985. He joined his father's practice upon his graduation. Rick continued his practice in Piedmont Heights until his illness in November of 2015. Rick was a loving, devoted husband and a proud father and grandfather who cherished his family. He was a kind, warm hearted man who always put the needs of others above his own. Rick had an adventurous spirit and as a young man enjoyed motocross. He loved exploring the outdoors with yearly fishing trips to the Boundary Waters and deer hunting in the fall. Rick had a dry sense of humor and loved to laugh. He loved music and listened to many different types from classical to modern. Rick was passionate about his work as a chiropractor and was known to have healing hands. He was a gentle soul and will be missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his father Dr. Roy Lempi and father-in-law Theodore Borst. Those who loved and shared Rick's life are his wife Pamela; his two children Nathan (Deanna) Lempi and Katie (Paavo) Bennett; his mother Dorothy Lempi; his two sisters Kathy (Bob) DeRoche and Patricia (Jeff) Eliason; his grandchildren Olivia and Christian Lempi, and mother-in-law Mary Borst. CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, in Peace in Christ Lutheran Church, 5007 Maple Grove Rd, Hermantown. Pastor Timothy Ludwig will officiate. A gathering of family and friends will be held at 12:30 p.m. until the time of service in the church.