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GARY KEITH Obituary
KEITH GARY P. KEITH (1958 - 2013) Gary P. Keith passed away on May 10, 2013 in Arlington at the age of 54 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Mr. Keith was a Senior Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. He worked as the Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile from 2010 to 2012. He also served in that position in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (2007-10), as well as in The Hague, The Netherlands (2005-07). Earlier he was Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand (2000-04). In Chile Mr. Keith was the President of the Fulbright commission's board of directors, and he served as Vice Chair of the Fulbright commission while in The Netherlands and Thailand. Mr. Keith worked at other U.S. embassies: as Information Officer in BogotÁ, Colombia (1994-97), Cultural Affairs Officer in Managua, Nicaragua (1992-94), Information Officer in San José, Costa Rica (1991-92), and Executive Director of the Costa Rican-American Cultural Center (1989-91). Mr. Keith was recipient of the U.S. Department of State's Superior Honor and Meritorious Honor awards. Before becoming a Foreign Service Officer, Mr. Keith arranged educational exchange programs at Meridian House International in Washington, D.C. (1985-87). He received a B.A. degree in English in 1980 from Wheaton College (Illinois), where he sang in the Men's Glee Club and served as a counselor at the college's Honey Rock Camp. In addition, Mr. Keith received an M.A. degree in English in 1985 from Ohio State University, where he taught composition. In 1980-81, Mr. Keith supervised agricultural projects as well as food distribution in refugee camps in Thailand and Cambodia under the auspices of the NGO "Food for the Hungry International'. Mr. Keith was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey on July 2, 1958, the son of Paul F. Keith, MD, and Anna J. Keith. He grew up in the Columbus, Ohio area, and graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1976. He is survived by his wife Greetje Bouwhof of Falls Church, Virginia and by their daughters Lauren and Emaline. Mr. Keith is also survived by his parents, brother Dirk Keith and sister Linda Keith of Upper Arlington, Ohio. A Celebration of Gary's life will be held on Sunday June 2nd from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Club Room at 502 W. Broad Str., Falls Church, VA 22046 (entrance on N. Lee Str.), where his family resides in Apt. 308. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that a donation be made to The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins, or to a charity of your choice.In lieu of flowers the family suggests that a donation be made to The Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins, or to a charity of your choice.
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Memories and Condolences
for GARY KEITH
Anna den Hartog
June 4, 2013
Dear Anneke, Paul, Greetje,Lauren and Emmaline,
We remember Gary as a warm hearted cousin with a great sense of humor. What a terrible disease and so unfair that it had to affect him!
Wish you all the strength and comfort. He will live in our memories.
Love, Anna and Saskia
Randall and Heleen de Visser-Kuyvenhoven
June 2, 2013
Dear Greetje, Lauren, Emmaline, Paul, Anneke, Dirk and Linda
“May the roads rise up to meet you,
may the wind be always at your back,
may the sun shine warm upon your face
and until we meet again....
may God hold you in the palm of His Hand”
Although your grief must be immense, the above mentioned is what I wish my cousin Gary, finally being freed from the weakened body that held him captive and helpless in the past year.
For those who do not know, my mother (Gary's aunt) also deceased from ALS in august 1998.
From my own experience I know that the images of this debilitating disease will fade and that you as his family will eventually remember him as the strong and loving husband, father, son and brother he was when fate had not yet arisen.
When I was a young boy I looked at my cousin Gary with awe. I remind him as a very handsome and tall guy in those days. Although we did not have many encounters in life living on different continents, I also vividly remember his wonderful wedding, years later in Saint John's Church in Maastricht, the Netherlands. My wife and I witnessed a very happy man at that time. It was one of those rare moments our whole family was joined together in joy and health. In subsequent years I considered my cousin Gary as being a warmhearted, contemplative man with a delicate sense of humor. Knowing Gary he will certainly be appreciated by others for his personality, work, wide interest in other people and other cultures. Its a great loss that he could not remain in our lives. Heleen and I wish you all much strength in this difficult times. Until we meet again, Gary....
Henriette Shapar
May 31, 2013
Dear Greetje, Lauren and Emmaline,
No words can help with the grief you feel - Gary was an exceptional man and it is very cruel that ALS could take him down so quickly at such a young age. I am honored to have known him and so sad for your loss.
I think Robert Burns said it better:
Epitaph on a Friend
An honest man here lies at rest,
The friend of man, the friend of truth,
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm'd,
Few heads with knowledge so inform'd;
If there's another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.
Robert Burns
Arnout van Leersum
May 29, 2013
Dear Family,
Gary has left the family too early and his loss cannot be described in words.
Emmanuelle and I are thinking of all of you and pray that he has found peace.
All the best in those dark times and Gary will always a special place in our hearts.
Love Arnout & Emmanuelle
Dirk Keith
May 26, 2013
Gary had a wonderful life, traveled the world, and inspired all those that knew him. Rest in peace Gary, until we see each other again. Thank you for being my brother and a friend forever...
Riekje de Visser
May 26, 2013
Dearest family,
I will remember my cousin Gary as a warmhearted, broadminded, friendly and peaceful person, who was very interested in other people and the world around him. May he rest in peace.
I hope that wonderful and fond memories of him will help you through this difficult time and make you feel proud that he was and will be such an important part of your life. Thinking of you and wishing you lots of strength. Much love, Riekje
May 23, 2013
We knew Gary during his posting to Santo Domingo. He was just such a lovely, generous person, who was so devoted to his family. I am so sorry to hear this news. Love, Carol, Alison, Madeline and Peter Tirado
David Searby
May 20, 2013
I had the great pleasure of serving with Gary for 3 years in the Dominican Republic. Gary and Greetje's home was always open to so many. I am so happy that Gary made the Senior Foreign Service. He was a wonderful officer, friend and mentor. I'll never forget the time I almost allowed his little miniature dog "Truffles" to escape from my yard while in my care and almost perish devoured by a Rotweiler. Instead of being angry that I had endangered his dog, Gary was apologetic that he had inconvenienced me to dash around the neighborhood to rescue Truffles. I know that the memory of Gary's gentle goodness and the example he gave to us all will remain. Gary will indeed always be in my mind a large man with an infectious love of life like that of a boy. Peace, Gary, and Peace to all who will forever love you.
Dwight Vogt
May 20, 2013
Dear Keith Family, It was a privilege to know and work with Gary in 1980/81 when he was stationed in Thailand with Food for the Hungry. I remember Gary as a man of thoughtful integrity, a quick dry sense of humor, and kindness. God bless you during this time. Dwight Vogt
May 20, 2013
Dear Keith Family,
We were so sad to hear of Gary's passing. When I look at his photo here, I remember him as such a kind, happy, fun, big-hearted man. It is a wonderful blessing to be remembered so fondly. Our hearts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. Gary was way too young. Love, David, Christine, Charlie, Jackie, and Keira
Cecilia & Ethan Curbow
May 20, 2013
Colleague, Friend, Wonderful Family Man,
Gary, you will be missed. My family and I remember well our time together in Santo Domingo. You and your family made our tour that much more special. May you rest in peace, and your family know you are with God now.
Rex Moser
May 19, 2013
I had the good fortune to work with Gary for two years in Santo Domingo. It was a pleasure every day to see him doing what he loved. He had many friends and admirerers there. His loss is a loss to the foreign service. My sympathies to his family.
May 19, 2013
To Gary's Family,
I only worked with him briefly, while he was on a Washington assignment, a lovely man, kind and mostly I remember his charming smile. I'm very sad to hear of his illness and demise, the world is diminished by this.
Christine & Luciano Mulder-Meira
May 19, 2013
Our condolences to Gary's family during this difficult time. Gary was a true professional and good man. I worked with him in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republio. May his family find comfort in God and the memories of him over the years.
Terry & Judy Kneebone
May 19, 2013
Esteemed colleague, friend and wonderful human being -- Gary, we will miss you.
John & Barbara Astbury
May 19, 2013
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Mike Geertson
May 19, 2013
Gary was good person good brother in law good family man he will be missed
Kenneth Durkin
May 19, 2013
Condolences to Gary and the entire family. He was a bright light in the lives of all who knew him. He will be missed, but will also live on as an inspiration of excellence in word and deed. Gary and his family remain are in our hearts and prayers. Thank you God for bringing Gary into our lives, as the world was a better place for his presence in it.
Amparito / Robert Jones
May 19, 2013
We pray to our merciful Lord that he bless the soul of our dear friend, Gary Keith, so that he joins him in heaven for an eternity of peace and happiness. We also ask the Lord to bless his beautiful family with his consoling grace at this difficult moment in their lives, to enable them to realize that they will one day be reunited with Gary for all eternity, and that meanwhile he is smiling down upon them and will always be their faithful spiritual companion while they are here on earth.
Que Dios los bendiga a todos muchísimo.
Amparito y Robert Jones
ROBERT & PATRICIA BUNGE
May 19, 2013
My wife and I had the pleasure of meeting Gary and his family in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He was an excellent person to know and to work with. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Cherie Miller
May 18, 2013
Thoughts and Prayers to the family. Gary will definitely be missed. But rest assured he is in a far better place. Watching over those who are left behind, until the joyous day that you are all reunited in God's loving arms.
Linda Keith
May 18, 2013
My brother Gary,
You were indeed a wonderful man, loving son, brother, husband, father and friend. I was so blessed to have you in my life, and will never forget the love and support you have shared. Memories of you will stay in my heart... always and forever.
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