Keith Kerr

Brigadier General Keith H. Kerr

Keith H. Kerr died on October 24th in Cupertino, CA. He was 90.

He was born in Kentfield, California, raised in the San Joaquin valley and attended schools in Oakdale and Lodi. He graduated from UC Berkeley in 1956 and received a Master's degree from San Francisco State University in 1967.

He had a career as an educator, teaching at Roosevelt Junior High School in Richmond, Alhambra High School in Martinez, and at City College of San Francisco for 26 years. He retired as a Dean of Instruction from SF City College in 1995.

General Kerr had a long association with active and reserve components of the Army. He entered the US Army as a private in 1953 at Fort Ord and completed his service in the Army Reserve with a rank of Colonel. He was promoted to Brigadier General with the California National Guard in 1991 and served as Commanding General, Northern Area Command until he retired in July 1995. He was a graduate of the Army War College.

Keith was active in professional and community affairs while a resident of San Francisco from 1969 to 1999 and later moved to Santa Rosa. He was a member of the Association of the US Army, the Yuba River Recreation Group, the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, the Civil Affairs Corps Regiment, and of the order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller. He was an honorary Board member of the Service Members Legal Defense Network working against the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".

Keith enjoyed working with bonsai, and belonged to the Redwood Empire Bonsai Society.
He loved cooking gourmet meals and entertaining scores of his friends, acquaintances, and family. He was an avid skier and spent 2 months each year skiing in venues around the world.
He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a popular raconteur. He was a great uncle and true friend to his grand nephews and niece.

General Kerr was preceded in death by his parents Wendell & Rose Kerr of Sonora, CA, and his lifetime partner, The Rev. Dr. Alvin Gomer. He is survived by his devoted family, including brother Wendell Kerr (Sharon) of Cupertino, his nephew David Kerr (Jeannie) of St Helena, nephew Andrew Kerr (Aimee) of Danville, four grandnephews and one grandniece and an incredible number of friends, ski comrades, and military associates with whom he maintained contact and by Chelsea, his golden retriever.

A memorial service will be planned for 2022. Contributions in his memory may be sent to the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, 550 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa 95401, The Yosemite Conservancy or a charity of your choice.