Many knew him for longer and were closer, I met Keith through a volunteer run scifi convention called Toronto Trek when I first started going to that annual event around the early/mid 90s. He always exemplified all that is good in fandom and beyond that he was a wonderful person in so many ways. I had the fortunate honour of working with him when I joined the red shirt security team and he regularly go above and beyond in so many ways. Community, safety, and ethics are what come to mind when I think of him - I recall a particular time when an attendee experienced horrible incident from members of a sports team from another country, Keith took it upon himself to make sure they would never again have the opportunity to harm anyone at our event - ever again.
When I was facing a very dark time in my life Keith was there for me. In short, mutual acquaintances of ours were implicated in very questionable, highly unethical, and worse activities and instead of owning up to their actions and responsibilities they decided the easier and more convenient tactic would be to engage in deception, personal attacks, and worse.
Keith wouldn't have it.
He was a highly respected person and spoke out under no uncertain terms that those who did wrong were shifting blame - some time later he and I were both relieved to know that those truly responsible for the mistreatment were removed from ever being able to continue it again. Not only that, but while this was going on he heavily encouraged me to apply to work in law enforcement and was offering a personal reference. That meant so much to me as his outlook and perspective based on wisdom, law, and ethics made his support of me mean so much more.
Keith was one of those people that you absolutely loved to see at conventions, not just for who he was but also knowing how much he would be contributing, and having a blast doing it. He was among the few of those that stood out as one who would contribute and make the community better, I am glad to have been able to be a part of the journey, the many fond memories help work through the grief of loss.
Rest easy my friend.
