The Texas Capitol lost one of its most beloved figures on November 4, when State Representative Edmund Kuempel [R, Sequin] passed away at age 67 from a heart attack. Kuempel served his constituents since 1983, when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives from Seguin, Texas.
He was third in seniority in the 150-member House. At various times through redistricting, he represented Comal, Guadalupe, Gonzales, Kendall, and Wilson Counties. He had been employed by Commercial Metals Company in Seguin for over 45 years. One of the friendliest and most outgoing personalities in the Capitol, Kuempel began each day of the legislative session by welcoming everyone on the House floor and was known for greeting women with an old-fashioned kiss on the cheek or hand. He was affectionately known inside the Capitol and out as “Kissin’ Kuempel.” Kuempel served as chairman of numerous committees during his tenure, including the House Committees on Retirement and Aging, Administration, State Recreational Resources, and Licensing and Administrative Procedures.