Honoring David Krempels
David Krempels was a man whose name had reached legendary status to a multitude of people. Whether to the community of brain injury survivors and their families, most people living on the NH Seacoast region, medical and rehabilitation professionals, and countless others, David’s tragic story leading to a transformative life as a beacon of hope is truly inspirational! With that in mind, I’m going to tell you why who David was as a person, on display even as he faced mortality, truly reinforced my love and admiration for him.
I had heard the name David Krempels as a patient in Portsmouth Regional Hospital’s Neuro Day Rehab outpatient program. My therapeutic team often spoke of an amazing community-based day program then called Stepping Stones, now KBIC. While the descriptions were amazing and testimonials of members laudatory, I felt that I had enough support from my loving friends and family and hesitated to attend. Thankfully, after hitting a point of despairing fatigue with life as a BI survivor, I first attended KBIC and experienced the magical community for the first time.
Thinking that I had could perhaps volunteer, my dad brought me to the community campus that first day to meet the staff and explore any opportunities. If I remember correctly, I met a staff member who advised me to attend a morning meeting after hearing my desire to volunteer. I can only imagine the spectacle of a 25 year old with obvious challenges insisting he “Doesn’t need any help, but may want to volunteer.” My appalling lack of self-awareness that, I hope, has somewhat improved was met only with patience and kindness. Regardless, after attending that first program day and experiencing acceptance and the feeling of community I knew I had found the place I belonged. And so it has been for more than 18 years now!
Over time, I learned of the amazing story of the programs genesis and became acquainted with David as he enthusiastically ran a weekly book group. With my aversion to homework, although an avid reader, I chose to attend other program offerings, but a mutual love of golf and frequent sharing of recent golfing highlights fostered a friendship. But before I regal you with some, perhaps aggrandized, golfing tales; here’s a short example of the amazing compassion that David exuded:
Around the first of 2026, it occurred to me that I hadn’t spoken with David in a greater period of time than usual so I reached out to wish a Happy New Year and check in. David immediately asked how I was and after I relayed news of a recent ended relationship, with great concern he suggested we get together. I suggested going out for lunch to which David suggested I come up for coffee as he wasn’t going out much and that he’d gotten some tough health news. After arriving at David’s house, we sat for about an hour discussing how I was doing after my breakup with his concern obvious despite his physical discomfort. Finally, David’s mention of health news returned to my mind and I said, “Before I have to go, you mentioned some health news. What was that?”
It was only then, after exhausting our discussion about me and my dating woes that David shared his scary cancer diagnosis with me. I could tell from his demeanor and description of the medical scans that it was serious and deeply concerning. Here was a man facing mortality and in tremendous pain, with complete attention on me and my rather insignificant troubles. As we embraced and I prepared to head out, gratitude for his friendship filled me. Driving home I found my sadness from the news overcome with profound wonder at David’s caring heart that he shared with so many.
Fortunately for myself and many others, David’s beautiful spirit remains alive; improving the lives of brain injury survivors at Krempels Brain Injury Center!