Frederic Keith Varni

1930 - 2016

Frederic Keith Varni

May 18,1930 - March 1, 2016

Frederic Keith Varni passed away on March 1, 2016 in Mission Viejo, California, at peace, and surrounded by the love of his family. Frederic (or Keith, as he was called much of his life) was born on May 18th, 1930 in San Francisco, a third-generation son of his beloved City by the Bay. Keith was the only child of Edward Varni (an attorney) and Alice Keith Varni, and great grandson of California landscape artist William Keith. He was a graduate of Ecole Notre Dame Des Victoires, St Ignatius High School, Santa Clara University, and the University of San Francisco School of Law. His love of learning, debate, and justice bloomed throughout his school years, and matured into a lifetime of learning and public service. His family, his faith, and his education instilled in him a sense of responsibility to others, and helped foster the deep generosity that touched everyone who knew him (and many who did not). After serving in the Judge Advocate General's Corps for the United States Army during the Korean War, Keith spent his early legal career in the San Francisco District Attorney's office, a job that cemented his dedication to justice and his love of the law.
While in the DA's office, Keith met the true love of his life, Ruth Rita Jeselson (Bronx, NY) a pediatric nurse at St. Mary's Hospital, when both were members of a church young adult group, working with underprivileged children in the community. Two people of great faith, generous heart, fierce intelligence, and sparkling humor, Keith and Ruth married in New York City on July 4th, 1959. They welcomed the first 3 of their 7 children in San Francisco, before relocating to San Bernardino, California when Keith took a job as a judge for the California Board of Workman's Compensation. He later became a Federal Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration, where he worked for over 40 years, not retiring until he reached 80. He was dedicated to civil service, and inspired by and cherished the company of his "work family".
Ruth and Keith had 7 children: Gerard, Patrice, Keith (Carmen), Maura Barr (Adam), Kate Varni-Leake (Joe), Kyle (Michelle), and Megan Watt (Ezzy), and were very active members of St. Anne's parish and school, St. Thomas Aquinas High School and countless sports leagues, youth groups, and community service organizations. They had a rich 20-year marriage that tragically ended when Ruth was killed in a car accident, an enduringly painful milestone in Keith's life, but one that showed his true strength and courage, and his remarkable dedication to his children. Even as he came to terms with his loss, he rose to the challenge of being a single father, still rarely missing a game, a meet, a music recital, or a father-daughter tea. He could dispense first-date advice as readily as he could help perfect a jump shot, and could pack lunches while quizzing for the next day's spelling test. He could talk about "My Pretty Pony" or the lyrics of Snoop Dog's latest hit with equal ease. Keith drew strength from the many friends and family who were his support network, and from his faith. He was strong as steel (with a soft-hearted center), and with every difficult development in his life, he let optimism lead, and hope have a permanent home in his heart. A life-long runner (before "running shoes" even existed), he was dedicated to fitness and health, specifically so he could be there for his kids; he ran his way to making the most out of life.
Keith spent the last 6 years of his life in Mission Viejo, where he loved spending time with his family, attending St. Kilian Parish, reading, and keeping up with his 17 grandchildren (Emily and Brooks Varni; Brendan, Pascal, Alix, Tanner, and Kieran Varni; Zachary, Madeline, Keenan, and Noah Barr; James, Oliver, and Henry Leake; Owen, Dylan, and Preston Watt). He followed the activities of each one, and was always there with an encouraging e-mail, note, or call.
Keith joins his wife Ruth, and his son Gerard in eternal peace. He is greatly missed, but leaves the essential elements of his spirit in the many lives he touched here on earth. A celebration of his life will be held on April 9th in Redlands CA. Please email VarniEvent@gmail.com for details. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Frederic Keith Varni's name to children's education: Ecole Notre Dame Des Victoires, 659 Pine Street, San Francisco, CA 94108 or Pencils of Promise, www.pencilsofpromise.org