Herman Emil Kumpf, 83, of Stuart, Florida, passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the Treasure Coast Hospice House in Stuart.

Born in Rochester, New York, he had been a resident of Florida since 1959, most recently living in Stuart.

Affectionately known as "Herb", Dr. Kumpf was a Marine Biologist working for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a federal agency for thirty-seven years.

Dr. Kumpf had many adventures during his long career in fisheries science. While working on his Ph.D. in Miami he was an "extra" villain in the James Bond movie "Thunderball." He continued his underwater exploration while working in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he mapped the seagrass beds and coral reefs around the island of St. John.

While in the islands he had the opportunity to teach author John Steinbach to scuba dive. He then island hopped around the South Pacific collecting various coral specimens. Additionally he served as an advisor designing the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Kumpf worked for the National Marine Fisheries Service for a majority of his career, culminating in the position of laboratory director for NOAA's Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Panama City Beach, Fl. He enjoyed mentoring and encouraging young researchers in the field of fisheries management and conservation.

After retirement, Dr. Kumpf dedicated time to studying invasive species through Gulf and South Atlantic Regional Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species (GSARP). He also enjoyed spending summers in the mountains of North Carolina with his wife and grandchildren.

Survivors include his beloved wife of forty-eight years, Suzanne Kumpf of Stuart; his daughter, Heidi Vestrem and her husband, Dale, of Hobe Sound; his son, Alex Kumpf and his wife, Yun of Stuart; his brother, Rudy Kumpf and his wife of Jan of Victor, New York; and two grandchildren, Sam and Lydia Vestrem.

A Celebration of His Life will take place on Friday, December 30th at 11:00 am in the Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church, 2880 SE Aster Lane, Stuart, Florida 34994. A Reception for family and friends will follow in the Church Pavilion at 12 noon.
A Graveside Committal Service will be held at 2:00 pm at the Riverside Memorial Park, 19351 SE County Line Road, Tequesta, Florida.

Contributions as a memorial may be made to the Smile Train, 41 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor, Attn: Team Empower, New York, New York 10010 www.smiletrain.org/donate.

An Online Guestbook is available by visiting www.treasurecoastseawinds.com