Dwight Theodore Sempert

In Loving Memory of Dwight T. Sempert
January 2, 1945–June 22, 2025

If you ever crossed paths with Dwight T. Sempert—better known to his friends as "YT"—you probably walked away feeling like you'd just made a lifelong friend. That was his magic: one conversation, a shared laugh, maybe a story about a trout that got away (but probably didn't, because YT caught almost everything he cast at), and suddenly you felt like you belonged. That was YT's gift—making people feel at home, wherever he was.

YT was a man of few words, but those words landed. They were honest, dry-witted, sometimes hilariously cutting followed by a wink, and always straight to the point. He didn't waste time with fluff. He was the kind of guy who could clean a fish like a surgeon, tie a perfect Woolly Bugger, and explain the difference between his favorite artisan and sourdough bread recipes.

He showed his love through food. If you were lucky enough to be fed by YT then you've felt it. And you were even luckier to have tasted his BBQ smoked ribs. He believed fiercely in justice and being a decent human being, and was an authority—all without raising his voice. And if he offered advice, you'd be wise to take it.

Born with an adventurous soul and calloused hands that seemed to know how to build just about anything, YT taught himself how to craft custom fly rods, tie intricate flies that fish couldn't resist, and build houses from the ground up—with the help of some buddies, a little determination, and probably a lot of research. If you asked how he learned to do it, he'd just shrug and say, "Figured it out."

He loved the outdoors in the kind of deep, reverent way that can't be faked. He hunted not for sport, but for the solitude of the mountains and to provide for his family—which, in true YT fashion, also landed him in the record books. Twice. Fishing wasn't just a hobby—it was part of who he was. And if you ever fished with him, you know the truth: YT didn't just fish. He out-fished everyone. Consistently. Quietly. Like some kind of fishing Jedi in worn waders and a baseball hat.

But his real catch of a lifetime was Martha, who agreed to head west with him in 1978 after they left their teaching jobs in Michigan. The deal was: he'd drive, she'd type resumes. It worked. They put down roots in Lander, Wyoming, where they built a life full of love, adventure, hard work, and quiet joy—through every season, every project, and every quiet moment that made it home. Along the way, becoming deeply woven into the community, making life-long friends who became family.

YT had a soft spot for animals, especially the family pets, who somehow always ended up getting a few more treats than they should have. He was a fierce provider for his family—reliable, rock-solid, and always present. To his daughter, Amanda, he was more than a dad—he was her best friend, her biggest fan, and the guy who showed her how to fly fish, fix a flat tire, change her oil, and face the world with grit and grace.

He was also that friend—the one who showed up, no questions asked. The guy who'd help you in any way he could, and if he couldn't, he'd find a way. He believed in doing the right thing, even when it was hard, especially when it was hard.

YT was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War—a chapter of his life that was as difficult as it was defining. Like many of his generation, he didn't talk about it much. But he carried it proudly. He served his country with strength and humility, and he held a deep, lifelong respect for the flag and what it stood for. It was one of the hardest things he ever did—and one of the things he was most proud of.

YT never needed a spotlight. He preferred a cup of coffee in the morning, a quiet chair in the shade, and a good view to watch the world go by. But make no mistake—he left a mark. Not just on rivers, mountains, and the antlers mounted in his home, but in the hearts of the people lucky enough to know him.

So here's to YT: a fishing legend, a teacher in the truest sense, a determined and gentle soul, a builder of rods, homes, and lifelong friendships. He didn't put up with any nonsense, but he gave everything he had.

We'll miss the sound of him prepping dinner in the kitchen, his one-liners that made you laugh out loud, and the way he made the world feel just a little bit more like home.

Set the hook, YT. And thank you for everything.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Anam Cara Caregiving.

A Gathering to Honor YT will be held on July 2, 2025, from 3–6 PM at the family's home: 22 Timberline Trail, Lander, WY. Please bring a chair, your favorite beverage, and—if you'd like—some finger food to share. This will be a time to tell stories, share laughs, and do what YT loved most: sit back and watch the world go by.

Please sign the online guestbook at: hudsonsfh.com