Keith Rugg

Kilbourne Keith Rugg

HOUGHTON - Kilbourne Keith Rugg, age 98, of Houghton, previously from Guatemala City, Guatemala, passed away in his sleep on Friday (Nov. 24, 2023) at Houghton Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility.

Keith was born May 23, 1925, in Bristol, Vt. He married Carmen Elisa Neutze from Guatemala.

Keith attended elementary school in Bristol, then high school in Cobleskill. He then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and fought in the Pacific Front during WWII.

After WWII, he attended Syracuse University. After graduating, with a commercial art degree, he went to Guatemala and stayed for the next 43 years. In Guatemala Keith worked in many fields of transportation. He returned to the U.S. in 1995 to work on special projects with friends in West Virginia.

He married Joanna Campbell and embraced her children, Wendy, Peter and Barbara Campbell, as part of the family. He was married to Joanna for 26 years. Keith and Joanna retired and settled in Houghton to be closer to family.

Keith was known as an outstanding artist, exceptionally skilled in portraits, landscapes and designs. He was also a "Jack-of-all-Trades," an excellent carpenter, mechanic and able to repair small appliances.

He enjoyed teaching and playing a game of chess with family members, and eating food cooked by Joanna, specially when using cheddar cheese! Keith loved shopping at AM VETS, planting trees, watching CSI and JAG and he loved DRIVING!

Before retiring, Dad and Joanna would fill up their station wagon about once every two years to make a trek from Guatemala to the U.S. and Canada. They would visit children, friends and have sightseeing adventures. He was a very good listener and problem solver. "What a life!"

He is survived by his wonderful wife, Joanna Campbell Rugg. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Sarah Gene Phillips of Houghton; his children, Stephen (Susan) Perrine of Maine, Katherine (Daniel) Moore of Houghton, Eric (Carmen) Rugg of Virginia and Kassandra (the late Augusto) Azmitia of Guatemala; his stepchildren, Wendy (Jim) Comishen of Barrie, Canada, Peter Campbell of Calgary, Canada and Barbara Campbell of San José, Calif. Surviving also are his grandchildren, Jason (Peili) Moore, JoAnne (Paul) Ray, Vani Whiting, Vara Whiting (Aaron) Morley, Alissa (Matthew) Ellman, Brandon Rugg, Chelsea Rugg, Alejandro Azmitia, Andrés (Vicky) Azmitia and Alfredo (Juliane Pagel) Azmitia; his step-grandchildren, Jessica, Jason, Jennifer Comishen, Taylor Alexander and Colby Perrine; and his great-grandchildren, Alivia, Alexis, Emi, Luke, Joshua, Julie, Daisy, Delilah, Sarah Isabel, Mariana, Clara Charlotte and Antonio Alexander.

Family and friends may gather from 7 to 9 p.m. today (Nov. 28, 2023) at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N. Genesee St., Fillmore, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday (Nov. 29, 2023). His grandson, Jason Moore, will officiate. Burial will in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Houghton.

Online condolences may be made at www.koplerwilliamsfuneralhome.com.