Vietnam Veteran Gifted New Roof

By Lauren White, RCS Assistant Editor.

Michael Kempkes is the recipient of Owens Corning’s 200th free roof through their Giving Back to Those Who Serve program.

As Vietnam Veteran Michael Kempkes sat in his living room, he couldn’t help but smile at the sounds of new shingles being put on his home in Loveland, Colorado.  Michael is the recipient of Owens Corning’s 200th free roof through the Giving Back to Those Who Serve program that launched in 2016.   

“It’s for veterans who can’t afford it,” said Dan Peterich, owner of Peterich Custom Construction.  Dan donated the labor of his workers to install the roof for Michael.  “They need it but can’t afford it...It took a load off his shoulders.  He really needed it done,” Dan shared in his interview with the Loveland Reporter-Herald.

Michael served in the United States Marine Corps from 1971 to 1975 and completed two tours in Vietnam.  He enlisted in the Marines before he graduated from Poudre High School in 1971 and shipped out right after.  In 1980, Michael moved to Loveland and worked in the construction industry.  Now, Michael suffers from medical conditions that keep him home and inside.

Clifford Fiske, Michael’s friend from when they worked in the building industry, noticed shingles were starting to fall off of Michael’s roof.  He called a couple roofing companies for estimates to replace the 1,200-square-foot roof, Peterich Custom Construction being one of them.  The estimates were at least $5,000, which Michael couldn’t afford.  

Dan, also a Marine veteran, “...Had been wanting to participate with Owens Corning on a Giving Back to Those Who Serve project,” according to the Loveland Reporter-Herald.  When he got the call from Clifford for an estimate and heard it was for a fellow serviceman, he knew this was his opportunity to help and offered Michael the free roof.

Through the partnership with Owens Corning, Dan and his brother Dustin Peterich, who co-owns the business, committed to providing free labor for two roofs for veterans in Northern Colorado each year.

Owens Corning donated laminate shingles for Michael’s roof.  These shingles are a top-of-the-line product and are impact-resistant and wind-resistant up to 130 mph, which are hurricane-force winds.

Gerard DiManna, a salesman for Owens Corning and a U.S. Air Force veteran shared, “I’m proud to work for a company that does this...Give a lot to those who need it.”

While Michael wasn’t able to see the progress of his new roof from outside, Clifford regularly showed him photos of the new roof being installed.  When the roof was finished, Gerard and Dan both shook Michael’s hand and thanked him for his service.  He greeted them with a smile and expressed his gratitude, “These days you don’t get nothing for free, but sometimes you do,” said Michael.  “It’s very nice...Thank you.”

Do you know of someone in the industry who is ‘doing good deeds’ in their community? Help us catch them at it. Send news and information to info@rooferscoffeeshop.com.

Photo courtesy of Loveland Reporter-Herald.