Archives West Finding Aid

Dean A. Sempert was born on December 12, 1922. Sempert enrolled at the University of Oregon in 1942, but left after his second term to volunteer for the U.S. Army. He served in France and Germany with the 328th Engineer Combat Battalion of the 103rd Infantry Division and was awarded the Purple Heart. Following his recovery from wounds received in action, Sempert enrolled at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. As a student at Lewis & Clark, Sempert was captain of the 1948-49 basketball team, winners of the conference championship. Sempert went on to earn an M.S. in Education from the University of Southern California. After graduation, he taught high school before returning to Lewis & Clark in 1963 as coach of the men’s basketball team. Sempert continued in this role for 26 years, retiring in 1989 as an associate professor. After retirement Sempert was instrumental in supporting the Lewis & Clark Athletics Hall of Fame, the Board of Alumni, class reunions, the admissions office, and commencement. He was also active in his community as a Wilsonville City Council member and as a volunteer chaplain for the Oregon State Correctional Institution and the MacLaren Youth Facility. Dean Sempert passed away on July 27, 2009.