Dr. Richard Stillman Keister
September 2, 1939 – January 31, 2022
Dr. Richard Stillman Keister passed away Jan. 31, 2022, at Life Path Hospice after a long illness. He was born Sept. 2, 1939, in Akron, Ohio, to parents, Prof. Don A. and Laura Jane (Stillman) Keister. He graduated from Buchtel High School in 1957 and Miami University of Ohio in1961. He received a PhD from OSU in 1970. He retired from Computer Sciences Corporation in Dayton in 2001.
Richard spent much of his time in Sun City Center doing genealogy, playing cards and bingo, playing the piano, singing Karaoke, reading and traveling. He was an avid “fan” of classical, country and popular dance music.
He is survived by his loving companion of many years, Cynthia Gifford, of Sun City Center, Albany, N.Y., and Milton, Vt. He also leaves two children from his first marriage; Beth Mitchell (James in spirit) and Nathan (Dana) Keister, five grandchildren, Haleigh and Joshua Mitchell, Ellawyn and Noah Keister, and Althea Williams. He also leaves step-children from his second marriage to Carol Eby, who preceded him in death: Amy (Duane) Campbell, Julia Reynolds (Ray) Pinckney, Cheryl (Gerald) Kondek, Christopher (Brenda) Eby, and Mark (Barbara) Eby and 10 step-grandchildren, Parker and Payton Campbell, Steven and Jamie Reynolds, Corrie, Eliza, Kevin, and Abigail Kondek, and Joshua and Amanda Eby.
His body will be cremated. Richard said he would welcome contributions to Classical WUSF/WSMR (4204 E. Fowler Ave, TVB100, Tampa, FL 33620-6970). National Cremation and Burial Society of Ruskin, Fla., is handling all arrangements.
Richard spent much of his time in Sun City Center doing genealogy, playing cards and bingo, playing the piano, singing Karaoke, reading and traveling. He was an avid “fan” of classical, country and popular dance music.
He is survived by his loving companion of many years, Cynthia Gifford, of Sun City Center, Albany, N.Y., and Milton, Vt. He also leaves two children from his first marriage; Beth Mitchell (James in spirit) and Nathan (Dana) Keister, five grandchildren, Haleigh and Joshua Mitchell, Ellawyn and Noah Keister, and Althea Williams. He also leaves step-children from his second marriage to Carol Eby, who preceded him in death: Amy (Duane) Campbell, Julia Reynolds (Ray) Pinckney, Cheryl (Gerald) Kondek, Christopher (Brenda) Eby, and Mark (Barbara) Eby and 10 step-grandchildren, Parker and Payton Campbell, Steven and Jamie Reynolds, Corrie, Eliza, Kevin, and Abigail Kondek, and Joshua and Amanda Eby.
His body will be cremated. Richard said he would welcome contributions to Classical WUSF/WSMR (4204 E. Fowler Ave, TVB100, Tampa, FL 33620-6970). National Cremation and Burial Society of Ruskin, Fla., is handling all arrangements.