Keith D. Millsop

Millsop, Keith D. CLIFTON PARK Keith D. Millsop, 84, of Clifton Park, N.Y. died Monday, February 7, 2011 at Schuyler Ridge Nursing Home. Despite living with Alzheimer's, he was able to keep his wit and keen sense of humor throughout his illness. He once remarked, "A mind is a terrible thing to lose because you don't know where to look for it." Mr. Millsop was born on March 30, 1926 in Grove City, Pa. to Hazel and Alexander Millsop, the youngest of three sisters and one brother. Following high school, he was in the US Navy V-5 and OCS programs at Ursinus College and Villanova University, then served in the Pacific aboard the Oklahoma City. After World War II, Mr. Millsop attended Grove City College and earned a B.A. in political science and history in 1948. Mr. Millsop attended George Washington University Law School from 1949-1951. In 1970 he earned his MBA from the University at Albany. From 1951-1955 Mr. Millsop was a special agent with the F.B.I., working out of the Boston, Mass. and Detroit, Mich. field offices. In 1955, Mr. Millsop began a 26-year career with Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Mich. He retired in 1981 as the industrial relations executive at the Green Island plant. During his tenure at Ford, and following his retirement, Mr. Millsop was actively involved with numerous civic and business organizations. For many years, he was a member of the Ford Motor Company Capital District Community Relations Committee, serving as chairman for eight years. Mr. Millsop was a member of the Greater Troy Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of directors. He was a member of the Empire State Chamber of Commerce Labor Relations Committee. A long-time member of the Troy Rotary Club, Mr. Millsop served as president from 1966-1967. He received recognition for his work on behalf of the United Community Fund Drives. Mr. Millsop promoted, arranged financing for, and organized the first Junior Achievement Chapter in Troy, and served as its chairman. He was also a guest speaker for numerous civic and professional organizations throughout the Capital Region. During his career with Ford, Mr. Millsop also served as an adjunct faculty professor at Union and Skidmore Colleges. Later, he became a professor of marketing and management at Siena College. From 1979-2003, Mr. Millsop was a member of the board of trustees, Troy Savings Bank. Throughout his life, Mr. Millsop was a sports-enthusiast, but enjoyed racquet sports the most. He was a mean ping-pong player and an accomplished badminton player, but his greatest passion was tennis. Before indoor tennis came to the area, it was not unusual for Mr. Millsop and his doubles partner to take shovels and brooms to a Central Park court in Schenectady for early practice in March. He participated in innumerable tournaments in the tri-city area, as well as across NY State and New England. In 1975 he was ranked in both senior singles and doubles. Mr. Millsop was also a talented musician, beginning piano lessons as a young child and playing clarinet and baritone horn in his high school band. He was a member of the Grove City College band and continued clarinet and piano throughout his life, adding the harmonica to his repertoire. He was a choir member, and occasional conductor, at both Woodside Presbyterian Church and Shenendehowa United Methodist Church. In his 70's, Mr. Millsop joined the American Winds Concert Band for several summer tours in Europe and also marched with the Union Fire Company Marching Band of Ballston Spa for many years. Mr. Millsop married his childhood sweetheart, Peggy Rossman, and was married for 47 years, until her death in 1995. He is survived by three daughters, Nancy C. Hughey (Lee E.) of Clifton Park, Carol A. Reilly (Peter E.) of the Town of Ballston and Amy L. Poe (Charles W.) of Clifton Park; as well as six grandchildren. Mr. Millsop was a devoted husband and loving dad and granddad. He was the consummate gentleman, one of keen intelligence and uncompromising integrity. His sense of humor, his ability to make people smile and laugh, and his positive attitude are cherished memories of a life well-lived. Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the caregivers of Beacon Pointe Memory Care and the Fenimore wing of Schuyler Ridge Nursing Home. We will be forever grateful for the loving care and support you gave to our dad and to us. A memorial service to celebrate Mr. Millsop's life will take place at 11:00 on Saturday, March 26 at the Shenendehowa United Methodist Church in Clifton Park, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Captain Youth and Family Services, 5 Municipal Plaza, Suite 3, Clifton Park, NY 12065. Arrangements have been entrusted by the family to the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Route 9, Clifton Park, NY 12065. 518-371-5454.