In Memoriam: Kalman Zempleny II (JD '87)
September 12, 2016 -- Prominent alumnus Kalman Zempleny has passed away this summer at the age of 51. Zempleny acted as Executive Director & General Manager of The Rutter Group, and was the youngest President of the Alumni Association at Pepperdine University. He is dearly missed.
There will be a celebration of life service held Saturday, September 10 at noon at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills with a reception following at Universal Hilton.
From the Los Angeles Times:
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Kalman S. Zempleny II at age 51 after a brief and sudden illness. In his shortened life he accomplished so much. His smile warmed any room and everyone's heart. Whether it was playing piano or contributing to legal education, Kalman tackled everything with zeal. His zest for life was infectious. He truly never met a stranger. His many friends and family are blessed to have traveled in Kalman's orbit. Kalman was the Executive Director & General Manager of The Rutter Group (TRG), a premier provider of legal education to attorneys and judges throughout the country for over 23 years. Prior to joining The Rutter Group in 1992, Kalman was a solo practitioner in Sherman Oaks, Calif., handling civil, criminal and appellate cases. Kalman received a Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law at the age of 22 and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University at the age of 19. He also studied at Georgetown University and participated in international law programs at Downing College (University of Cambridge), the London School of Economics and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. He graduated from Notre Dame High School at the age of 16. Kalman was a strong believer in giving back to the community, as is demonstrated by the countless awards and recognitions he has received over the years -- including his years of service to his law school, Pepperdine, alma mater. He was the youngest President of the Alumni Association for all of Pepperdine University (including Undergraduate, School of Law and Graduate schools) for a number of years and served on the Alumni Board for many years. He believed in making sure that lawyers, judges and legal professionals receive top-notch legal education.
Kalman is survived by his husband and partner of 28 years, attorney Kenneth E. Wright and his mother June L. Zempleny.
Southern California Appellate News:
"He had an uncanny ability to see a particular area of law that needed to be addressed by the community and figured the best way to deliver that content through written word or visual presentation."