Theodore Ira Keyser

Keyser Theodore Ira Theodore Ira Keyser, affectionately known as "Coach Keyser" or "TK," passed away peacefully at home in Irvine, CA, on March 17, 2025, at the age of 97. Born in Philadelphia on March 13, 1928, to Margaret and Ira Keyser, Ted was raised alongside his sister, Marjorie. A talented athlete, he excelled in varsity baseball at Frankford High School before enlisting in the Army, serving in the 11th Airborne Parachute Division during the Korean War. Ted earned a B.S. in Education from Temple University in 1952, where he played starting shortstop and was a proud member of the 1952 National Collegiate Championship soccer team. He later received an M.S. in Physical Education from Penn State, launching a distinguished teaching and coaching career at Haverford High School. Over nearly two decades, he taught biology, physical education, and driver's education and had a brilliant and successful career coaching volleyball, soccer, golf, and baseball. Ted was known for his discipline and focus on fundamentals, and he earned a reputation for instilling hard work and perseverance in his players. This paid off during his 19 years as volleyball coach, highlighted by an impressive 17 District titles, nine PIAA State Championships and one Junior AAU National Championship. His soccer teams also secured seven Central League titles, three District 1 titles, and placed 2nd and 5th in the PIAA State Championships. Honored with numerous local and national awards for coaching and contributions to youth sports, Ted was named volleyball "Coach of the Year" in 1971 and 1974 and was inducted into the Haverford High School Sports Hall of Fame and the Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Former players shared, "He was the most brilliant, sensitive and insightful coach I ever had …I will never forget the joy we all had playing the game and learning from him every day…he not only made us better athletes but also better people". Ted's passions extended beyond sports. He enjoyed gardening, had a talent for calligraphy, and cherished spending time with family. A lifelong teetotaler, he had a unique hobby of collecting authentic German beer mugs from his many trips to Germany and Switzerland, none of which ever held beer. A dedicated photographer, he was always in pursuit of the perfect shot. His adventurous spirit led him to capture remarkable images, including a "friendly" encounter with brown bear while on vacation in the Adirondacks with his young children. While exploring Yellowstone National Park, he jumped out of the car to capture an astonishing close-up of a herd of bison crossing the road, despite the protests of his granddaughters. For decades he enjoyed researching his family genealogy, tracing his lineage back to the 1600s. A skilled ping-pong player into his 90s, he often surprised opponents with his reverse spin serve. He will be remembered for his steadfast conviction, his passion for a healthy and active lifestyle, and his dry wit and sense of humor. Ted is survived by his children, Lynn Tierney (Bruce) and Scott Keyser; grandchildren, Julia Tierney (Emmanuel Inga) and Lauren Tierney (Alex Annand); and great-grandson, Dean Annand. Per his wishes, a private memorial is planned. In his memory, please consider a donation to your favorite youth sports organization. O'CONNOR MORTUARY (949) 581-4300 www.oconnormortuary.com