Frank S. Krempa

Frank S. Krempa, loving husband, father, and grandfather and former owner/President of Lenape Forge, Inc., passed away peacefully at The Chester County Hospital on September 28, 2020.  

Frank, 85, a resident of West Chester since 1978, is survived by Florence (Manley), his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 62 years, their two daughters, Allison O’Brien (Kevin) and Kimberly Schneider (Duke), four grandchildren, Sean O’Brien (Lauren), Haley Schneider, Heather Schneider, and Aidan O’Brien, his sister Mary Arvay and numerous nieces and nephews.

Frank was born, the youngest of eight children, in Coatesville, PA on May 5, 1935, the son of Frank Krempa and Mary Irla Krempa.  He attended Scott Senior High School in Coatesville, graduating in 1953, and thereafter graduated from Penn State in 1957 with a degree in Metallurgy.  He worked at Lukens Steel in Coatesville early in his career, but in 1961 left Lukens to eventually become the General Manager of Lenape Forge, Inc. in West Chester.  In 1983, Frank and partner, Peter Horvat, purchased Lenape Forge from then-owner, Gulf & Western.  Frank served as President and majority shareholder of the company, which operated successfully under his leadership.  

He was a Lifetime Member of the American Society of Metals (ASM). He sold the company and retired in 2003.  During his career, Frank was a member of the Chester County Economic Development Council, eventually serving as Chairman of the Council.  He served on the Board of Brandywine Hospital for 27 years, and was an initial investor and Founding Member of the Board of Directors of Stonebridge Bank. 

Frank and Florence were founding parishioners of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in West Chester and have remained active members. Frank and Florence have also been long-time supporters of Bishop Shanahan High School from which their children and grandchildren graduated. 

Frank had a remarkable work ethic, but his passion was his family, to whom he was entirely devoted.  

Family and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, 15 E. Pleasant Grove Rd, West Chester, PA 19382.  

A viewing for family and friends will be held at the church at 10 am prior to the Mass. 

Donations in Frank’s memory may be made to either Bishop Shanahan High School, 220 Woodbine Rd, Downingtown, PA 19335, or St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, 15 E. Pleasant Grove Rd., West Chester, PA 19382.  

Arrangements are being handled by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith and Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com