Keith Rayner
1943~2015
Keith passed away peacefully in La Jolla, CA after a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma, at the age of 71 on January 21st, 2015 with his family by his side. Keith was born June 20th in Dover, England to William Thomas and Olive Stock Rayner. His family emigrated to the United States in 1949 and settled in Salt Lake City, Utah. He served an LDS mission to England from 1962-1964. Married Susan Rae Knight, December 16, 1966 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He attended the University of Utah and earned his Doctorate from Cornell University. Keith and his family lived in Massachusetts for 35 years before moving to San Diego. He was a professor at the University of Rochester, University of Massachusetts Amherst and the UC San Diego Atkinson Family Distinguished Professor at the time of his death. He excelled in the field of Experimental Psychology specializing in furthering what we know about reading, eye movement and cognition and receiving numerous honors and awards. He was an avid sports fan and particularly fond of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics and the New England Patriots. He coached numerous Amherst youth baseball teams his son participated in. He was an active member of the LDS church and served in various capacities throughout his life. In addition to his loving wife he is survived by his children, Ashley (Jason) Fairgrieve and Jonathan (Becky) his two beautiful granddaughters Isabel and Samantha, his mother Olive, siblings Pete (Kathy), Sue (Brent) Petersen and Julie Tolman. Preceded in death by his father (Bill), sister (Nancy), in-laws (Clifford and Rae Knight), brother in-law (Dave) and nephew (Hunter).
Funeral services will be held Saturday January 31st, 11:00 am at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.), in Sandy, UT. Viewing hours will be Friday January 30th 6:00-8:00 pm and 10:00-10:45 am Saturday morning. The family would like to thank all the Doctors and staff who helped with his care. In lieu of flowers contributions in his name may be sent for the Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research Fund, in care of the University of California San Diego Foundation, 9500 Gilman Drive #9040, La Jolla, CA 92093-0940. Online condolences can be made at www.larkincares.com

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Published by The Salt Lake Tribune on Jan. 28, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Keith Rayner

Sponsored by Larkin Sunset Gardens - Sandy.

15 Entries

Harold Greene

January 22, 2023

A kind man, and a scientist. You are missed, indeed, Keith. To the family: May God grant you comfort.

Boyden & Perron

February 10, 2015

The staff at Boyden & Perron would like to extend our condolences. Our thoughts are with you at this time.

Harold H. Greene

February 3, 2015

I'd like to pass on my condolences to the family of Dr. Keith Rayner. Keith was a great mentor to me when I was a postdoctoral fellow at UMASS and later, when I became a professor. His impact on my career was (and still is) massive. Thank you Keith, for being a mentor.

February 1, 2015

Sue, I am so sorry for your loss. We haven't talked for a long time for which I am sorry. I still miss you and am grateful for all those fond memories at the Boston Distribution Center and the time we spent together. I wish we could get together if you have some time while in S.L. I only read the obituary today, or I would have come to the funeral. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. Know that I love you. Susan Skinner [email protected]

Anne Stevens Frost

February 1, 2015

I'd like to add my condolences to Bishop Rayner's family. Much love to Ashley, Jonathan, Sue, and Olive at this time.

Robert Bacon

January 31, 2015

I took several classes with Dr. Rayner while attending UMASS but knew him as a leader in my church much earlier than that. I volunteered to support his studies after class for extra credit because I was enthralled by his teachings and mesmerized by his research methodologies. Dr. Rayner was one of those professors that had a lasting impact on me and I will always be grateful for my semesters I was lucky enough to get into his classes. To the Rayner family, I am so sorry for your loss. I am so grateful to have been a tiny part of the amazing advances he made to help so many people. He was an inspiring leader and mentor and I will never forget him. My deepest condolences. -Robert Bacon

JEANNETTE Franklin

January 29, 2015

I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS OF KEITH. HE WAS A GOOD MAN AND I ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIM WHEN HE WAS BISHOP IN AMHERST. I AM SORRY THAT HE HAD TO SUFFER FOR SO LONG WITH HIS POOR HEALTH, BUT GLAD FOR THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHERE HE IS NOW. I BET HE AND HIS DAD ARE SO HAPPY TO BE TOGETHER AGAIN. I LOVE YOU SUSAN ASHLEY AND JONATHAN

Louis Moench

January 29, 2015

I first met Keith in Mr. Crookston's shop class at Evergreen Jr. High. My impression was very favorable and didn't change. He seem like such a nice, level-headed, unpretentious guy, and destined for something really good. Having gone through Olympus High together, I haven't seen or heard from or of him since, so it was fascinating for me to see the course his life took. A mission to his homeland, an Ivy League doctorate, church leadership, impactful research culminating in an endowed professorship at at top-rated university, enduring frigid Amherst to retire in beautiful La Jolla, and a family who adores and is adored by him--all sound like a wonderfully productive and fulfilling life. I'm sad for Rayner's and happy as well, sad that it ended sooner than desired, happy that you had him for half a century, and still do and always will. The only surpise, knowing his love of sports, was that he was watching the Red Sox instead of wearing them. Sympathies to you.

Diane Carter DiPietro

January 29, 2015

Bishop Rayner was a wonderful man who,as bishop in Amherst was compassionate and understanding and an example of a great leader! Love and prayers to Susan,Ashley and Jonathan and your families.

Nancy Hamel

January 29, 2015

My sincerest Sympathy Sue to you and the family. Very sad! Keith was a good man! Hugs! Nancy Hamel

John ROTH

January 29, 2015

Dear Susan, Ashley,Jonathan and Olive and the Raynor Family: We are saddened to hear of Keith's passing away. We had heard he was ill, but as time passed we had hoped that he was winning the battle. One of the best callings I ever had in the Church was as Keith's counselor in the Amherst Ward Bishopric. We send our condolences and we pray that the Holy Ghost will comfort you with the assurance that your separation will only be temporary. We send our love, God bless, Elder John and Hermana Delona Roth

Marsha Baxter Cluff

January 29, 2015

I have such good memories of living just two houses apart and growing up with the wonderful Rayner family on Atkin Ave.. The Baxter girls send our love and sympathy to all the Rayner family on the passing of Keith, such a great and wonderful man.

Van Pettey

January 28, 2015

First, of all, my condolences to Keith's family. I will always have fond memories of how close the young men were as we played softball, basketball and volleyball in the Garden Heights wards. Keith was a leader in all of those sports and was skilled in each. I was surprised to learn that he was a Rex Sox fan as I thought he would always bleed Dodger Blue. I will always think of him as a wonderful friend from my teenage years.
Van Pettey

Jax Pettey

January 28, 2015

Dear Olive, Sue and Rayner family,

I was saddened to learn of the passing of one of my boyhood best friends. I think Keith and Pete spent more time at our (Petteys) home that their own. We had such great times playing basketball, softball, volleyball and football together with our many friends. During the summers we spent many nights sleeping out in our backyard and then would run out to the street early in the morning to catch Bill's milk truck and beg for some chocolate milk. Keith, myself and Nile Schow all went into the army together and spent basic training at Ft. Ord, California. He was such a great friend and I think we all kept each other out of trouble growing up together. Bishop Jack angerfield, who was our Bishop in the Garden Heights North Ward told me a few years ago that 23 of the 25 young men in our age group had all served missions. It was a special time and a special group of best friends. I I and my brother, Dix, Van, Bryce and Trent all express out condolences at your and our loss in Keith's passing. Thankfully we are all blessed and comforted by the knowledge that we will all be together again through the great gift of our savior, Jesus Christ. May his comforting arms envelop you at at this time.

Love,

Jax Pettey

Lindsey Atkinson

January 28, 2015

Aunt sue, Ashley, Jonny,
My heart goes out to you all and I'm truly sorry for your great loss. I know that you will see uncle Keith again and he will be healthy. He is up in heaven right now playing a game of tennis with grandpa. I believe that God called him home for a greater purpose. It is hard to see it that way, but we have to have faith in Gods plan. Our family has gone through the ringer with loss these last couple years and it has been a rocky road. But I know we will see our loved ones again and all the whys will make since. I love you guys and I will continue to keep praying for you all. Love,Love,Love

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