Charles Stephen Keith, That Big Nurse with the big laugh arrived in San Francisco in 1979 and stayed. Lover of food, friends, family, music, performance, travel and dogs. Steve lived a life dedicated to the service of others.

Born in Washington D.C., early childhood in Plattsburgh, New York then Orlando Florida. Graduate of Boone Senior High School Class of 1970, Valencia Community College and San Francisco State University.

In 1983 Steve volunteered to be one of the founding nurses of the newly forming San Francisco General Hospital Ward 5B, the first inpatient AIDS unit in the world and the model for AIDS care delivery throughout the world. On staff there for 20 years. Worked diligently to document and archive the activities of that unit and its stalwart members. His archival materials are now part of the special collections at the San Francisco Public Library.

Steve discovered a new sense of purpose in 12 Step recovery, and reconnected with his deep sense of spirit and Higher Power originally kindled by an early life in the Southern Baptist tradition. He practiced and mentored in this program for nearly 10 years.

In retirement, despite cancer and disability he continued to volunteer his time for the greater good, delivering food to the needy, tutoring ESL students, and in the midst of treatment hosted a fundraiser for an LGBT middle-eastern refugee organization. His call was: For people to show up and be counted; To not do nothing; To just breathe and tell the truth. His loyalty and great-hearted generosity of spirit is legendary. So is his Carrot Cake.

Steve was predeceased by his mother and father Willie Dean and Charles P. Keith. He is survived by his husband John Chard of San Francisco, sister Katherine (Michael) Shanahan of Plano, Texas. Also survived by niece Kaitlin (Ian) Jones, great nephew Charlie Jones, nephew Kevin Shanahan and numerous aunts, cousins and in-laws.

A memorial celebration and reception is scheduled for Saturday October 15, 2016, 3 P.M. at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church 500 De Haro Street.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Oct. 7 to Oct. 11, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Steve Keith

19 Entries

Cam Shearer

October 1, 2022

Steve is ever present in my Hall of Heroes
Cam

Cam

October 1, 2020

Four years without his physical presence, but he's remembered in color by the thousand triggers left with us - when I see a COVID nurse in action, when I see John Chard or read his name, when I touch my inner depths with kindred spirits, he's there. His laugh and his laughing eyes. So grateful to know him.

Joyce Glick

October 1, 2019

May The Memory of Steve be a Blessing

October 11, 2016

I knew Steve when he was working in the inpatient psychiatry unit at Presbyterian Hospital in the period before he went to the SFGH AIDS unit. As sad as it was to see him leave Presbyterian, we knew he wanted to follow his heart and serve on the front-lines of the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco, applying his extraordinary interpersonal and nursing skills.
John Mehring

Mi Familia!

Eric Bennett

October 10, 2016

Steve you brought back many memories in my life. Also how precious and short that life maybe. You never know when that end may be we can only hope that it will be in the distant future. Especially since the ones that truly depend on us are our children after we are gone we will only be in their memory for a short time and then we will be gone in that long lasting newspaper forever. Well take care my friend and SYOTOS. You were well loved and needed in this life....

Joyce Glick

October 9, 2016

Steve was Loved by all his Fellow colleagues at Sutter Care at Home, Joyce Glick

Cameron Shearer

October 8, 2016

Steve is a hero. When I first witnessed him in action on Ward 5B, back in '83, I was struck with his kind, generous spirit, his unconditional love, and his equally unconditional forgiveness of the sad, ignorant and angry folks who sometimes would storm onto the AIDS Ward intent on causing further suffering. He would kindly, firmly escort them off the ward and his towering guidance left them no option but to follow his direction to leave, promptly. His smile now brings tears, but only for the moment and only in the awareness that his presence has migrated into the highest element of our souls. I'm grateful for every moment we worked together, knowing that he quietly, patiently mentored a great gathering of angels.