Keith was our class president and a long time friend who dates back all the way to Altamont Elementary School days. I still recall a joint science project that Keith and I did involving a dinosaur diorama. Keith will be sorely missed. RIP.
I'm so sorry to read of Keith's passing. We were not only classmates, but next door neighbors and friends. He welcomed me in to the class of 68 when I moved as a junior and made me feel like I really belonged. RIP my friend.
Keith was a great friend to Sandy (Lawton) and myself throughout the years, from kindergarten (in Sandy’s case) up to his recent passing. Following graduation in ’68 Keith and I headed down the road to SUNY Albany, and although he’d not been a part of our fabled GCHS ’67 soccer team (18-0-1) he was willing to give it a shot at SUNYA. Our freshman team went 0-13; boy, did we miss Coach Snyder! When Sandy and I married the following year Keith was a member of our wedding party, and when college was followed by the Navy he found his way down to Pensacola for a visit and was our first houseguest a year later when we reached our first squadron in Maine. We never lost touch over the next thirty years.
Keith had been a computer science major at SUNYA and he put that knowledge to work in the early years. A second career in restaurant management came about with his co-ownership of Ravenswood, in Clifton Park, which he held until just a few years ago. His third career (my second, following retirement from the USN) was with SUNY Empire State College, based in Saratoga. Still a geek from way back when, he returned to his first love, info technology, his office in the building next door to my own office with international programs. We’d have lunch together about once a month and laugh at just about everything. He was passionate about his politics and was one of the first on the bus for Bernie Sanders last year, whose causes he held as his own.
He was also passionate about his family - dad and mom Gene and Rose when they were with us, sister Sherry and her family up to the end. Keith had one or two health problems over the years but he was always active and seemingly in good health. During a visit to his doctor, however, he was surprised to learn that an underlying cancer would bring his time with us to a close just a few weeks later. In keeping with his wishes there would be no published obituary or fanfare, just a very simple service at Memory Gardens with family and a few close friends. I’m not sure whether Keith would have been with us in person at our 50th reunion next year, but I’m absolutely certain he’ll be there with us in spirit.
Thanks Gavin for your post and thoughtful rememberance of Keith. Appreciate your sharing with those of us who knew Keith well and haven't been as close since high school.
I would also like to thank you Gavin for this heartfelt post about Keith. I was fortunate to grow up in Altamont and have Keith as a great friend in grade school right up through our college years. I am so sorry to say that I lost track of him soon after that. It was good to read of his life's journey. Sounds like he touched many lives as he did all of ours. Thinking about Keith makes me smile. Rest In Peace, ole friend.
Keith was a classmate of mine from Altamont elementary school. He was sweet, kind and always willing to help if he could. I'm sorry for his family's loss and all the people who loved him. Keith was definitley one of the good guys. R.I.P.
Keith was a wonderful person and was well liked. Gavin , your post is just such a nice tribute to hiim as is all.the other heartfelt posts submitted. So grateful to have known Keith and trust He is in a better place free from disease. His spirit lives on and will definitely be at the 50th. Barb Bidleman
As with the all the Altamont and Guilderland Alum that have posted comments about Keith, I too wish to pass along my condolances to Sherry and her family. Keith and I didn't travel or hang out together. But we did come up together starting from 1st Grade. And we both grew up together and even lived on the same street in Altamont. But I think out of all of us who knew Keith and was friends with him, I'd also like to pass on my condolances to Carl Schilling. I consider Carl my best friend. And he considered Keith one of his. Keith even eulogized Carl's mom a few years ago - saying what we all felt - that she was like a second mom to all us kids. Carl is not on the Guilderland web site. So he won't see my comment. But when Keith passed, I let him know how sorry I was. Whenever you loose a friend, it's just the right thing to do.... Rest In Peace, Keith....
David Stankavich (1968)
Keith was our class president and a long time friend who dates back all the way to Altamont Elementary School days. I still recall a joint science project that Keith and I did involving a dinosaur diorama. Keith will be sorely missed. RIP.
Suzanne Legg (Nahumck) (1968)
I'm so sorry to read of Keith's passing. We were not only classmates, but next door neighbors and friends. He welcomed me in to the class of 68 when I moved as a junior and made me feel like I really belonged. RIP my friend.
Gavin Lowder (1968)
Keith was a great friend to Sandy (Lawton) and myself throughout the years, from kindergarten (in Sandy’s case) up to his recent passing. Following graduation in ’68 Keith and I headed down the road to SUNY Albany, and although he’d not been a part of our fabled GCHS ’67 soccer team (18-0-1) he was willing to give it a shot at SUNYA. Our freshman team went 0-13; boy, did we miss Coach Snyder! When Sandy and I married the following year Keith was a member of our wedding party, and when college was followed by the Navy he found his way down to Pensacola for a visit and was our first houseguest a year later when we reached our first squadron in Maine. We never lost touch over the next thirty years.
Keith had been a computer science major at SUNYA and he put that knowledge to work in the early years. A second career in restaurant management came about with his co-ownership of Ravenswood, in Clifton Park, which he held until just a few years ago. His third career (my second, following retirement from the USN) was with SUNY Empire State College, based in Saratoga. Still a geek from way back when, he returned to his first love, info technology, his office in the building next door to my own office with international programs. We’d have lunch together about once a month and laugh at just about everything. He was passionate about his politics and was one of the first on the bus for Bernie Sanders last year, whose causes he held as his own.
He was also passionate about his family - dad and mom Gene and Rose when they were with us, sister Sherry and her family up to the end. Keith had one or two health problems over the years but he was always active and seemingly in good health. During a visit to his doctor, however, he was surprised to learn that an underlying cancer would bring his time with us to a close just a few weeks later. In keeping with his wishes there would be no published obituary or fanfare, just a very simple service at Memory Gardens with family and a few close friends. I’m not sure whether Keith would have been with us in person at our 50th reunion next year, but I’m absolutely certain he’ll be there with us in spirit.
With much love, Gavin and Sandy
David Armstrong (1968)
Thanks Gavin for your post and thoughtful rememberance of Keith. Appreciate your sharing with those of us who knew Keith well and haven't been as close since high school.
Dave
Patricia Osterhout (Schmidt) (1968)
I would also like to thank you Gavin for this heartfelt post about Keith. I was fortunate to grow up in Altamont and have Keith as a great friend in grade school right up through our college years. I am so sorry to say that I lost track of him soon after that. It was good to read of his life's journey. Sounds like he touched many lives as he did all of ours. Thinking about Keith makes me smile. Rest In Peace, ole friend.
Linda Spadaro (Miller) (1968)
Keith was a classmate of mine from Altamont elementary school. He was sweet, kind and always willing to help if he could. I'm sorry for his family's loss and all the people who loved him. Keith was definitley one of the good guys. R.I.P.
Linda Spadaro Miller
Barbara Bidleman (1968)
Keith was a wonderful person and was well liked. Gavin , your post is just such a nice tribute to hiim as is all.the other heartfelt posts submitted. So grateful to have known Keith and trust He is in a better place free from disease. His spirit lives on and will definitely be at the 50th. Barb Bidleman
Stephen Hall (1968)
As with the all the Altamont and Guilderland Alum that have posted comments about Keith, I too wish to pass along my condolances to Sherry and her family. Keith and I didn't travel or hang out together. But we did come up together starting from 1st Grade. And we both grew up together and even lived on the same street in Altamont. But I think out of all of us who knew Keith and was friends with him, I'd also like to pass on my condolances to Carl Schilling. I consider Carl my best friend. And he considered Keith one of his. Keith even eulogized Carl's mom a few years ago - saying what we all felt - that she was like a second mom to all us kids. Carl is not on the Guilderland web site. So he won't see my comment. But when Keith passed, I let him know how sorry I was. Whenever you loose a friend, it's just the right thing to do.... Rest In Peace, Keith....
Your neighbor and friend,
Steve Hall....