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BORN
1936
DIED
2016
Kieth Nissen Obituary
Seattle architect Kieth Nissen passed away February 24, 2016 from unexpected heart-lung failure subsequent metastasized prostate cancer treatment closing in on remission.
Born October 11, 1936 in the dry-land farming country of South Dakota to Fred and Alice Nissen, Kieth set off to design cars in Detroit immediately after graduating from Reliance High School. In 1962 he graduated from the University of Washington in the same architecture class as his future wife Anna. He took a Masters at Columbia then joined Anna in Boston to be married. After a few years, they returned to Seattle to finish apprenticeships, obtain licenses and form the partnership of Nissen/Nissen Architect.
In addition to creating/re-creating architecture, Kieth loved reading, jazz, King FM, photography, casual bike riding, day hikes, backcountry skiing, and boardsailing on the Columbia until a broken hip from a slip during a jibe ended the last two activities, but none of the rest. Kieth loved the high-plains-Borrego Springs in January was his idea of heaven. His wife, several other best buddies, his brother Stan Nissen of South Dakota, his sister Pat Derrig of Seattle, and too many nieces and nephews to enumerate will profoundly miss his presence. Family and friends will celebrate his life on a fine day in April.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Don Wagaman
February 28, 2019
A little over 2 years ago my friend Keith passed away. I think of him now and then. Especially if I am think of friends in South Dakota or on a nice scenic walk. I hope he has walked on all the scenic trails he finds in Heaven. Walk on old friend some day we will meet on on of those trails. Don
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Donald Wagaman
March 10, 2016
I grew in that same area of South Dakota . I meet Kieth when I started high school in Reliance South Dakota . We became friends and played basketball to gather on the Reliance team . Kieth was a very intelligent and made us all look bad . I will really miss his quite and slow sense of humor . Hike on my friend an enjoy the scenery .
Don and Margaret Wagaman
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