Keith Robert Kaminski left this earth and entered Heaven on October 24, 2020 after a five month battle with complications that arose from a pulmonary embolism and cardiac arrest. No one is stronger…no one is braver…no one could have put up such a valiant fight as he did. He was taken too soon at the age of 49, he is loved tremendously, and he will be remembered every second of every day.
He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Elana; daughters Paige and Meredith, and son Trevor. Keith was preceded in death by his sister Tammy Lynn. Keith’s immediate surviving family also includes his parents Shirley and Robert, in-laws Richard and Patty, brothers Kevin (Holly), Kenny (Paula), and Kyle, brother-in-law Joel, and nieces and nephews; Chloe, Autumn, Lilly (god-daughter), Quinn, Emma, Bennett, Mason (god-son), and Addison. Keith had many extended family and an abundant circle of friends.
Keith was born on February 13, 1971 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Growing up, Keith played football and baseball but basketball was his sport. Keith graduated from East High School in 1989 and was All-Conference Honorable mention in basketball. Keith worked many jobs throughout high school and college. Keith was a mail carrier, lawn cutter, pizza crust maker, grocery store bagger and stocker, factory packer, baseball umpire, ice rink attendant, basketball referee, office clerk for a cheese company, high school assistant basketball coach, and bar bouncer. Keith graduated from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay with a degree in economics. When Keith worked at the jail in Appleton, WI, he saw a recruitment advertisement for Phoenix Police. Keith left Wisconsin for sunny Arizona to pursue a career in law enforcement. He joined the Phoenix Police Department in 1997. In 1998, Keith and Elana met on a blind set-up and married 2 years later on November 4, 2000. Keith completed his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University in December 2000. Their first daughter Paige was born in 2002, Meredith in 2004, and son Trevor in 2005.
Throughout his career with the Phoenix PD, Keith worked in several precincts as an officer, detective, and Sergeant. He worked patrol, property crimes, planning and research, auto theft, document crimes, and was a community action officer. He served his community with integrity and pride. Keith retired from the PD and went on to help establish the sworn officer department at Grand Canyon University as the Police Commander. When his work at GCU was done, he became the Director of Public Safety at the growing Ottawa University campus in Surprise, AZ. Most recently, Keith was a Compliance Analyst with AZ-POST, the Police Officer’s Standards and Training Bureau.
Keith LOVED watching his kids play sports. He was a permanent fixture on the soccer sidelines, volleyball court, and behind the glass at the hockey rink. He even did some soccer and basketball coaching. He loved evenings in at home watching movies like Soul Surfer, Forrest Gump, the Goonies, Avengers, and Harry Potter. He was an expert BBQ grill master (he made perfect filet mignon), and a talented travel agent. Keith loved to travel and took his family on incredible vacations around the United States and world. He loved hiking and walking with Elana and their dog Ronan. He consumed a lot of chocolate! He was the most humble, loyal family man and friend any person could be. Keith was loving, generous and genuine. His faith in God was strong. His love for his family unending. If there is a Chipotle or Pei Wei in Heaven, Keith has already been.
Services for Keith’s celebration of life will take place at Gethsemane Church on Saturday, October 31 at 10am.
1035 E. Guadalupe Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85283
In lieu of flowers, Keith would have been honored to have donations made to the 100 Club of Arizona in his name.
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