September 24, 1942 – April 18, 2025
Dr. Raymond Daniel Klemp was born in Chicago, Illinois, September of 1942 to Raymond and Ruth Klemp. At the age of eleven the family moved to Willapa, Washington. He was raised on a small farm with a prized Holstein heifer named Melody and a horse named Sandy. The family even had their own Holstein breed, the “Willa Vale”. It was not a huge surprise when he decided to pursue a career as a veterinarian.
Dan went on to attend Washington State University where he graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and met his wife, Ann Linder Klemp. They married in 1967 and eventually settled in Eugene, Oregon. Dan started his own veterinary practice, Santa Clara Animal Clinic, while Ann focused on raising their three sons, Jeff, Jason and David. Dan raised cattle in Blachly, grew hazelnuts in Junction City and sailed boats out of many a port. He was a lifelong learner – through travel, reading or just taking on new projects. While fighting his disease, he watched civil engineering lectures and wanted to take the GRE – just to see if he could pass. He built for legacy – even in his final weeks he was planning a vegetable garden, wanting to plan another family adventure, and worrying about his fruit trees.
Dan is the oldest of five children and was blessed with a large extended family. To the end he was concerned with all of us – even confined to bed he asked after a niece who was struggling every time he woke. Together Dan and Ann became successful in life and were able to travel the world. They shared their love of travel by taking nieces, nephews and grandchildren on special trips when they turned sixteen years old. Ann preceded Dan in passing. Dan is survived by three sons and their wives, five grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Dan passed away on April 18th, 2025, after a four-month battle with cancer. Dan will be missed and is loved.
A memorial service for Dan will be held at Major’s Funeral Home, Springfield, OR on May 3rd, 2025. Viewing from 9-11. Memorial service at 11 and family graveside at 1pm. Celebration of life at 2 pm. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers please donate to the OSU Hazelnut Research and Extension Fund (https://agresearchfoundation.oregonstate.edu/hazelnut-applied-research-and-extension ) or the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (https://www.avmf.org/ways-to-give/commemorative-giving/).
Visit www.majorfamilyfuneralhome.com to share a memory of Dan.