PSU Magazine Spring 2000

~is is a great old house," says Dave ! .Kemper '75, until recently super– visor for P&C Construction Company, the Ii.rm hired to bring the historic Simon Benson House to campus and complete its restoration. Kemper, who usually manage new construction projects, developed a real soft spot for the Benson Hou e, and has enjoyed being back on campus. Kemper's not sure if his PSU grad status had anything to do with being assigned the Benson House job, but he's glad he got it. "You start by look– ing at the prints... you go over in your mind just how to approach it... and well, a project grows on you. But this one is different," he adds. "The mater– ial, the craft man hip-you just don't find that much anymore." Noticing the details of a building has pretty much been Kemper's life's work both before and after graduation. He majored in physical education, earning honors upon graduation, and then spent the next three years with the Oregon State Police. Fortunately for PSU, the smell of wood and sound of hammer was a bigger draw. "I went back to construction. That's what I did in college," he explains. "I worked my way through-the Portland State way." On re-entering the field, he worked as a carpenter for several years, then moved up to supervisory work, which he thoroughly enjoys. "It's fun," he says. "They pay me to pend other people's money, but they trust me to spend it wisely." Kemper reports that the Benson House is sound. The only portion that needs rebuilding is the front porch. "It took a beating from the weather," he says, but it will look just like the origi– nal porch when finished. The exterior siding is 100 percent cedar, top-grade, clear vertical-grain lumber from old growth timber. "That kind of siding today i hard to find and very expensive," he says. So finger- joint lumber will be used when replacement is necessary. Kemper explains that this is made by gluing smaller pieces of clear cedar together, creating a longer board. When painted, it will blend right in with the original siding. K emper's concern for craftsman– ship as well as cost contain– ment endeared him to the Friends of Simon Benson House, the group head– ing the effort to save the 100-year-old home. He called on a number of supplier and sub-contractors, asking them to make in-kind donations where they could, and the response was very positive. When thanked, he shrugs his shoulders. "It's just part of