Friends looking for Dale Kempf during the school year in 1978, ’79, ’80, ’81 or ’82 knew where to check first.
“As a Ph.D. student in chemistry, I spent most of my waking hours on the third floor of Roger Adams Laboratory in the group of Professor Peter Beak, who taught me to be a critical scientist,” says the Abbvie distinguished research fellow, who was chosen for a 2019 Alumni Achievement Award, the highest honor given by the UI Alumni Alliance.
“This was conveniently close to the music building, where my girlfriend, then wife — Kay Miller Kempf — was doing her graduate work.
“Some of our favorites:
— “Treno’s café,” conveniently located “halfway between the music and chemistry buildings.”
— “Inexpensive and healthy lunches at Bevier Hall — well-prepared and served by students.”
— “Whole-wheat crust at Garcia’s pizza.”
— “Greasy sausage and black olive pizza at Trito’s.”
— “Peanut butter-chocolate milk shakes at the Courier Café.”
“And our community of close friends for four years — and still today — were the wonderful folks at First Mennonite Church.”
