David Keyes
January 21, 1945 - September 13, 2022
The Rev. Dr. David Keyes, 77, died peacefully and courageously at home in Santa Monica, surrounded by his family, on September 13, 2022, after bravely enduring the debilitating effects of vascular parkinsonism for too long. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Judy Droz Keyes, their daughter Tracy Droz Tragos, son-in-law Christian Tragos, and grandchildren Charlotte and Sam Tragos; his daughter Tanya Mackenzie, son-in-law Ian Mackenzie, and grandchildren Ian and David Graham, and Leah Patrick; and his son Paul Keyes and daughter-in-law Christina Keyes.
David was born in Kansas City on January 21, 1945, the son of Carolyn Coberley Keyes and Garland James Keyes. His childhood was spent there and in Gallatin, Missouri with his beloved grandparents, Alpha and Oscar Coberley.
After earning a Master's Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri followed by a brief career as a journalist and writer, David attended seminary at the Starr King School for the Ministry. He was ordained to the Unitarian Universalist ministry in 1985. He earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from the San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1997.
For most of his career, David specialized in interim ministry. While maintaining his home in San Francisco, he served churches in Washington D.C., Arlington, Davis, Atlanta, Houston, and St. Louis, among many others. A student of the radical reformation and a devotee of George Huntston Williams under whom he studied at Harvard Divinity School, David was active in international church relations, visiting congregations in Transylvania (Romania), Hungary, India, and the Philippines. In1996-97, he delivered the prestigious Minns Lectures out of which came his book "Most Like an Arch: Building Global Church Partnerships." David was awarded the Louis J. Cornish "Living the Mission" Award from the UU Partner Church Council in 2013. He retired from ministry in 2016.
David's family, colleagues, and friends remember his love of baseball (and collection of baseball caps), smiling blue eyes, wry wit, generous spirit, strong opinions, and passion for justice. And in the end, his bravery. A requiem service will be held for David at Grace Cathedral on November 3, 2022, at 2:00 in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, and in recognition of David's values and commitment to equality, please consider a contribution to https://wrrap.org/donate/, or an organization like it.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Sep. 16 to Sep. 18, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for David Keyes

11 Entries

JACK RIPSTEEN

September 10, 2023

Dear Judy and Tracy
I am so sorry to hear of David´s passing. Our condolences
So many Hillegass memories!
Jack and Sandy Ripsteen

Wayne Arnason

November 3, 2022

Thank you for making David's memorial service available on Zoom. It was deeply moving and a fitting tribute to a disciple of the Most High. I learned so much from him and appreciated his ministry and his leadership.

Beth Stevenson, Unitarian Universalists of Coastal Georgia

November 1, 2022

Once again, I am president of a UU congregation and I bring all the wisdom that David taught me in Atlanta. What a gift he was to those of us struggling to find a way to provide leadership to the beautiful, complex, intelligent and diverse communities we serve and love. His lessons live on in each of us -- as we continue to learn how to grow our faith. Much love to all of his family and friends.

Joe Sullivan

October 31, 2022

My prayers go out to you, Judy and family. I am so grateful for having worked with and learned from David during his ministries in Houston and St. Louis, and remember the gracious hospitality of your home when I visited San Francisco.

Stephanie Martin Taylor

October 13, 2022

I'm so sorry, Judy. May you and your family feel loved and supported during this time of loss.

Rev. Connie Simon, UU Ministers Association Board of Trustees

September 30, 2022

On behalf of the Unitarian Ministers Association, we want you to know that you are on our minds, and in our hearts and prayers. As a professional association, we with to recognize the collegial relationship we had with David, and to assure that his ministry was cherished and is missed among us. We send you and your family our collective love. Know that we remain your extended family in this faith which called to David, and guided his life.

With many blessings,
Rev. Connie Simon, Secretary
UUMA Board of Trustees

Rev. Dr. Linda Olson Peebles

September 27, 2022

It was an honor to have had the chance to work with and learn from David as a UU colleague. I am so grateful for his presence among us, and I mourn his death. May his family take comfort from the knowledge of the many people to whom he mattered.

Jack Ripsteen

September 18, 2022

So sorry. With deepest sympathy
Jack Ripsteen

Adel Nagy

September 18, 2022

I was very sad to hear about David's passing. I have fond memories of him. I appreciated his love for Transylvania and unitarianism in Transylvania and his friendship with many of us, Unitarian ministers. Thank you for your service, David. Rest in peace. You will be remembered!

Rev. Dr. Anita Farber-Robertson

September 17, 2022

David was a powerful advocate for Interim Ministry when it was so deeply needed, encouraging many to consider this challenging and rewarding, and valuable profession. Thank you, David.

Gail Lehmann

September 17, 2022

A wonderful tribute to an amazing man..

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