On June 12, at the age of 91, Keith died peacefully in his room at Country Roads Lodge, Summerland, B.C., with family and friends present. He said he was quite ready to die, and indeed viewed his upcoming death as an adventure. Keith’s offspring, Kevin, Bruce, and Sheila, daughters-in-law Ruth and Kim, grandchildren, Joanna, Ian, and Sam, as well as other members of his extended family and several friends remember him as a man with many interests and a strong spiritual life, who often showed perseverance in the face of adversity and who spent considerable energy keeping in contact with relatives and friends through letters, emails, phone calls, Zoom, and travel.
Keith grew up with his parents and 3 brothers on a farm near Kamsack, Saskatchewan, developing into a thoughtful, practical, intelligent person with an independent spirit. He contracted polio at the age of 14 and spent a traumatic year away from his family in quarantine in hospital in Regina. After returning home, he adapted to life using a leg brace and walking sticks. During most of his life, the physical limitations on his body imposed by polio did not stop Keith from walking, climbing stairs, swimming, driving, playing ping pong with his kids, travelling the world, and - in his 50’s - getting his pilot’s licence (thus fulfilling a childhood dream). He also took up playing piano in his 80’s - without use of his thumbs (due to post polio syndrome)!
While studying Engineering at the U. of Saskatchewan, and later Divinity at U. of Toronto, Keith participated in various Student Christian Movement activities often related to social justice. It was through the SCM that he met Wendy McQueen. After marrying in 1959, Keith and Wendy (later Margaret-Heather) raised their 3 children in the Niagara Region - in homes in Thorold South and then St. Catharines. They separated in 1978 and later divorced, but continued to work together to parent their children. Initially, Keith worked for a few years as a United Church Minister in Allanberg/Thorold South, but then changed careers and worked until retirement as a social worker for Family and Children's Services Niagara.
Using skills likely fostered during his boyhood on the farm, Keith took on projects like renovating the attic in the Thorold South house, building his own solar panels for heating water, constructing furniture, and various home repairs. An avid photographer, he set up his own darkroom to develop photos, and produced dozens of photo albums over the years, chronicling trips, family life, visits with relatives, and special events. He liked to garden, cook, read, and go camping. Wanderlust took hold at various points, and Keith logged several trips exploring Ontario, driving across Canada and the U.S., as well as travelling around the world (partway with a Tibetan Lama as his travel partner).
His writing of travelogues and correspondence expanded to include poetry, historical and genealogical pieces, short and longer fiction, and autobiographical projects. He had been active in several writing groups in Niagara and the Okanogan.
Following a lifelong desire for social reform, Keith advocated for greater accessibility both in Niagara (Niagara Centre for Independent Living) and the Okanogan (Agur Lake Camp).
In his late 40’s, Keith became a Buddhist in the Tibetan Kargyu tradition, and was active in the Niagara Kargyu Buddhist group for many years. He also explored past life regressions at The Light Institute in New Mexico and, in his 70’s, explored Shamanism through a course at Northern Edge Algonquin, practising Shamanic journeying.
During his final decades, Keith moved to Edmonton and then Summerland, spending time with his daughter Sheila and reconnecting with his western roots. He lived independently until shortly before his 90th birthday when he moved to Country Roads Lodge. While his health and vigor declined rapidly in his final year, Keith received excellent care and expressed gratitude and fondness for his caregivers, family, and friends, as well as a sense of calm readiness toward his approaching death.
Keith made a difference in many people’s lives and will be missed.
