This member of the month is a Life Member, learn about life membership by clicking here, and keep reading to see what Raymond Kempisty had to say to Membership and Graphic Design Manager Michelle Redmon. 

Michelle: What got you into Naval Engineering? (What specific event or moment).

Raymond: My brief, stormy interview with ADM Rickover in 1977 was unsuccessful, but I was pleased to later get steam MPA school right after SWOS Basic (now known as BDOC).  At first I had a hard time and joined more than a few others in punitive after hours “stupid study.”  Luckily, a short while later a BTCM lectured, somehow differently, and it all came together in my head.

Michelle: What is a fun fact most people don't know about you?

Raymond: Detailed from the Navy to the Tower Commission staff in 1987 (Iran/Contra; Ollie North etc.) I was asked by Senator Tower to personally take a letter to President Reagan, across Pennsylvania Ave. from the New EOB.  

The letter asked Reagan to order North and Poindexter to testify, but the idea was rejected after further legal review.  I went to the nearest White House gate and asked admission.  The guard’s computer refused to show entry approval, so I was stuck.  After several calls and 45 minutes or so a coatless woman (it was a cold, snowy February day) came down the walk from the White House and I handed the letter for the president to her through the fence.  The contents became front page news for a while.

Michelle: What is one engineer/scientist/ or mathematician dead or alive would you like to meet?

Raymond: Thomas Truxtun.  Son, Navy LTJG and engineer Mitch Kempisty recently completed a tour aboard the destroyer named for him, so I did my research.  Cantankerous and brilliant (the first quality dimmed his fame), he measured sea temperatures with Benjamin Franklin while ferrying him home from France, among other Naval innovations.

Michelle: If you could engineer your perfect concession stand/food truck, what would it be?

Raymond: I’m not a big fan of food trucks, but preparation visibility is important.  Jon Favreau’s truck in the movie “Chef” comes to mind.  Even hot dog stands, where you see where the dog came from and see the tongs put it in the bun are better than dark holes from which styrofoam capsules emerge.

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