Norman Maun Tempel

Norman Maun Tempel, 98, of Kansas City, and more recently of the Missouri Veterans Home of Warrensburg, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Norman was born on January 12, 1926 in Higginsville, Missouri to Albert and Emma Tempel. The oldest of five children, he grew up on a farm in central Missouri that raised cattle and a variety of crops. A childhood of working hard and enjoying life instilled in him a love of the outdoors and farm life. At a young age, as a member of the Future Farmers of America, he raised a steer and had it exhibited at the Chicago Livestock Exhibition. It brought a good price! Poppie, as his many grandchildren and great grandchildren called him, attended a small country school which he fondly called the Cabbage Patch School. He attended High School in Mayview, Missouri. Norm joined the Navy in 1946 as WWII was drawing to a close. He spent 1 1/2 years in service mainly on the Island of Guam as an administrative clerk with the Naval Government under the Base Commander. His high school typing class paid off for him. It was in this capacity that he discovered an interest in the field of Law. Following his discharge and return to the States he attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, first as an Undergraduate and then in the School of Law. This is where he met a beautiful girl named Ruth Emily who would become his wife. They were married in Mayview, Missouri in the summer of 1951. While Norm was still in Law School they had their first child, a little boy. We can imagine the challenges of law school with a new baby but it seems that all their memories of this period were of happy times! Norm was always an optimist and focused on the fun and interesting side of life. Following graduation from Law School, Norm accepted a job in the Trust Department of a Kansas City bank, followed by a position with the law firm of Shughart Thompson & Kilroy. Norm and Ruth were off to a life in Kansas City, Missouri. They bought a house and soon their second child, a little girl, was born. Five years later, to the day, another little girl arrived followed by a fourth child, a little boy, nine years later. A full house! Eventually Norm decided to forgo the daily commute to downtown K.C. and opened his own private practice law firm in the suburbs. Busy and memorable years followed. Ruth Emily passed in 1987. Norm continued with his practice until his retirement. His retirement years were very full with travel; two trips to New Zealand and many trips to his beloved western states of Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Many more trips were made to see his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Norm also enjoyed the periodic family reunions in beautiful areas of the country that brought together his extended family. His children remember mountain roads, collecting rocks, The Clever Cleavers, and “Looks Like an Elk To Me”! His grandchildren have fond memories of the Junk Box, Chucklehead, looking for “good” rocks, cracking geodes, and Kilroy was Here. No explanations needed! He also enjoyed collecting antiques and for a time had his own antique shop. All who knew him also enjoyed seeing and learning about his extensive antique clock collection! Gardening and yard work also filled his time. In 2013 he entered one of his fantastic roses into the Kansas City Rose Show. It won a first place ribbon! His large vegetable garden was renowned by the many with whom he shared. Many times he indicated that if he could have led a double life, he would have gladly been a farmer! In fact, He continued to dabble in farming at the family farm until the passing of his father. 
Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Emma and Albert; wife, Ruth Emily; brothers, Harold, Martin, and David; and a grandchild, Jeffrey. He is survived by his sister, Doris. Children: Gregory (Rebecca), Valerie (Steve), Beverly (Steve), Larry (Nancy). Grandchildren: Nicholas (Danielle), Micah (Lauren), Joanna (James), Erin (Carlos), Jonathan, Rock (Mei), Jared (Rachael), Whitney (Kirk), Dodge (Lin), Casey (Jess), Miles (Tammy), Alexander, and Renee. Great grandchildren: Rowan, Eli, Murphy, Otto, Roland, Lyra, Ryan, Piper, Brooklyn, Hadley, Alberta, Lina, Dahlia, and Rory. We remember him with love. “He was a good egg”. 

Donations in his memory may be made to: Children’s Mercy Hospital 2401 Gillham Road Kansas City, Missouri. 64108 

Colonial Presbyterian Church 9500 Wornall Road Kansas City, Missouri 64114