A long life, a well-lived,life, and still gone too soon, Keith.  There were things in this life I still hoped to learn from you, but they will wait until we meet again ❤  I always felt you were one of the most honest people I'd ever met - a rarity in anyone's life - and for which I will always be grateful. It was truly an honor to have known you!

Jackie, 
I have very little to add to the lovely words written about Keith here and little to say that will help with the sense of loss you must be feeling...but I trust and know that it is the "little" touches of all the hearts and hands (and words) of those who's Keith's life touched that together will provide you with the "big" embrace you need ...it is our shared experiences, memories and humanity that bind all of us together. 

Thank you Keith for your wisdom, humor and courage. I am grateful to have known you.

Kerry Erdenberger

KEITH you were always welcoming and warm as a host dad of my best friend !!you will be always in my heart!

"Fair is foul and foul is fair", that's what you taught me.
This is not the farewell, rather a "see you later".
It isn't the end, people turn into angels.
Parents from Italy sympathize with family in America, they share grief.

Keith was a beautiful man, with such a beautiful heart. I met him at Tyres Heart Shakespeare Company. We were in A Midsummer Night's Dream together. I was Helena, he played Snug the Joiner. 

In the fifth act, when Puck puts all things right,  Snug had his moment. In Pyramus and Thisbe, Snug played the part of the Lion... so hang-dog and timid; so sweet,  so concerned his roar would scare the ladies of the court. 

Over the years we worked together, I got to see Keith play so many great roles, but this one was my favorite. I think because the role tapped into a wellspring of sweetness that coursed inside him, and unlike his character, who feared his roar would scare the ladies - the Keith I knew was equal parts gentleness and ferocity.  The Keith I knew was more Lion than Snug the Joiner could ever imagine. Keith knew how to roar.

Keith lived a passionate life filled with love and humor.  He was a ferocious friend, and father and husband.  I felt so lucky to know him, because spending time with Keith - you could feel him in your heart.  And that's love. 

Keith was ferocious love.

I wanted so much to be at the memorial service today. But life happened,  and I couldn't be there. I put on my black dress, but it felt wrong. I tied a bright red scarf around my neck and and smiled and felt my tears, because while there is a loss to be mourned there is a life to be celebrated.  I will miss his light in the world.

"Well roared, Lion." 
Well roared.

Keith, and his family, were part of our own family's life for many years. His kindness and devotion to his family is a lasting legacy. Always there for his children- that's what we remember. Michael and Priscilla Winning, and our daughter Katie Schweitzer.

My favorite memory of Keith is when he played a Jesuit priest in my play Where No Storms Come.  He kept asking me, "What does this Catholic stuff mean?"  One day, he said, "I get it!  Being Catholic is so much like being Jewish--guilt, guilt guilt!  I get this character!"  He got lots of characters...he was all heart.  I send out much love in his memory.

Keith-the years we spent working together at Oregon State Hospital were so exciting.  Your work there was invaluable.  When I think about you, my first response is to smile and remember the unique, talented, and bright guy you were.  You will be greatly missed, my friend.

My condolences to the family; I'm not able to attend his celebration on July 30.  Although being a more recent friend, in talking to him multiple times I always enjoyed his wit and the broad scope of his mind and experience in events of the times.  I carry you Keith in my mind always.

It all started with the Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock as you lit the candles for Jackie. That flame extended itself through a multitude of years that spanned life, grief, joy. How does one define the inexorable Thanksgiving "trivial" battles through the years, understand the complexity of the dance of relationships, partake in the sacred moments of life passages?  All those those times, you were present and accounted for...in my life/our family's life. What an enormously treasured gift you were sharing. Oh, dear friend, dear good man Keith, you who have embraced myself and others in a multitude of ways...we carry you on the wings of butterflies in our lives, forever. Thank you for loving us and letting us love you in return. Shalom.

To Keith
Thank you for your sincere and generous friendship during many years; we all loved you and enjoied your joyful company any time you came to visit our family in Italy. We actually think of you, Sarah, Jackie and Sam as part of our family and we partecipate to Keith's life celebration with all our love.
We will never forget you, crazy Kito!!
You've given us your personal touch of Shakespeare.
 
With love
Elena, Irene, Lorenza, Rosetta, Gino, Sofia, Marta, Giulio

PS: We know you tried hard with italian... but your spanish is much better.
PPS: Gigantic pistaccio gelato forever and ever...!

with much sympathy in this difficult time. I hope keith's spirit is shining bright and he is at peace.

Sending you my condolences from afar. I remember how you skillfully helped to direct my middle school plays several years in a row. They were a lot of work and form the participant side really fun. I really appreciate the joy dedication you brought to your craft and how you were able to share it with others. Thanks again.

(This poem is an original composition by the submitter)
 The first line of this came to me while standing by Keith's deathbed at St Vincent's emergency room on Monday.  I felt the words were his but as the author I fully accept any shortcomings this verse may have.

When petal falls
from flower's stem
it is not nature's
tragedy.
It's duty done.
It's nurturing shield
no more in need.
Its scent and tincture...
memories...
we shall not forget.
Indeed the thought
of petal's past
is the very thing
that shall make it last.

OBITUARY

Keith Kito Stewart Rothschild

3 December, 1941 – 24 July, 2017

Young's Funeral Home

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