It is with great sadness that we share the news of the unexpected passing of former KEMPA Board vice president and longtime KEMPA member Joe Koshollek.

Joe’s connection to KEMPA spanned decades. As a student in Stoughton, he attended KEMPA summer journalism camps and developed his passion for photography. In high school, Joe worked for publications under the guidance of adviser Dave Wallner. Following in the footsteps of his father, Hank Koshollek, also a beloved KEMPA Board member, KEMPA Hall of Fame member, and professional photographer, Joe dedicated many hours to supporting student journalists and photographers throughout Wisconsin and Illinois. Long after his teen years as a KEMPA camp participant in the ’80s, Joe continued to work with KEMPA, instructing students and capturing memories of events. He volunteered his time at countless KEMPA summer programs, providing that spark to ignite the passion for photography in others. Additionally, he served on the KEMPA Board for many years, including serving as Board vice president from 2012-2016. He also spoke at our Fall Conferences and various other workshops, and generously shared his expertise with students interested in photography whenever the opportunity arose.

Joe was inducted into the KEMPA Hall of Fame in 2006 in recognition of his many years of contributions to our organization and the students we serve. In fact, he was scheduled to present an afternoon photography session at UW-Whitewater this July for the 2026 KEMPA Camp. He will be missed.

Professionally, Joe built a distinguished career in photojournalism, including work with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and later as the official photographer for the Wisconsin Legislature. Yet, those who knew Joe through KEMPA will remember not only his talent, but they will also remember his willingness to mentor, encourage and connect with others.

Our thoughts are with Joe’s wife, Jill, their three children and all who loved him. We are grateful for the lasting impact Joe and the Koshollek family have had on KEMPA and journalism education in Wisconsin.

A GoFundMe has been established to support Joe’s family during this difficult time. We encourage those who are able to consider donating or sharing the fundraiser, and we ask our KEMPA community to keep Joe’s family in their thoughts.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-friends-in-unexpected-times