James Keith

1935 - 2022

James Keith
James (Jim) Keith of Fairfax, Virginia, passed away on March 22, 2022, after an illness following surgery. At 87 years old, Jim lived a full and active life. Jim was born on February 3, 1935, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Frank S. and Mary Keith. He grew up in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Lehigh University with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1957. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army at Rocky Flats, Colorado where he met his wife, Danielle Milenski, who was attending the University of Colorado at that time. They married in 1961.
Jim had a successful and varied career with the Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan including serving as the Chair of the Chemical Manufacturing Association and its successor, the American Chemistry Council. His role took him around the world repeatedly until he retired in December 1996. He was a recognized chemical industry expert in regulatory matters and helped Dow establish new international markets for their products that otherwise would have been closed to the company. After retirement, Jim relocated to northern Virginia to become the "Manny" for his only grandson, Alexander, until he graduated from Flint Hill high school. This was the greatest gift of love he could give his family.
Jim was an avid golfer and skier, had a quick sense of humor and loved to tell jokes, enjoyed traveling and sampling all types of food (the spicier the better), had a deep quest for knowledge, and was an aficionado of American history.
Jim is survived by his wife of 61 years, Danielle; his daughter Stephanie Keith Gupta and son-in-law Rahul Gupta of Vienna, Virginia; grandson Alexander of Chicago, Illinois; and brother, Frank S. Keith of Mount Laurel, New Jersey. He will be deeply missed by all of them.
A private family service is planned. Those planning an expression of love may wish to consider a charity of their choice in Jim's name.