Rufus Crosby Kemper was born in 1892 in Valley Falls, Kansas.
His father, William Thornton Kemper Sr., bought City Center Bank (which was founded in 1913) during World War I.
[citation needed] William first appointed Crosby's younger brother James M. Kemper president of the bank in 1919.
Rufus became president of the bank, a position he held until 1959, when his son R. Crosby Kemper Jr. took over.
[citation needed] Crosby also served as a regent at Rockhurst University, president of Interstate Securities, and director of Kansas City Title & Trust Company.