Obituary for Kenneth Keiser
Kenneth Roger Keiser, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 91 on February 23, 2023, due to natural causes. He was born on December 3, 1931, in Reading, Pennsylvania, to Marguerite and Donald Keiser. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, but his legacy lives on through his family, friends, and colleagues.
Kenneth's lifelong passion for music started when he began playing the marimba at the tender age of five. He dedicated himself to pursuing his love for music and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the Lebanon Valley Conservatory of Music in 1953, followed by a Master of Science in Music Education from Ithaca College in 1960. Kenneth served with pride in the United States Military Academy Band, where he showcased his talent as a trumpet player and marimba soloist between 1953 and 1957.
To further support his passion for music, Kenneth's beloved Marimba, which was built in 1939, is being donated to the percussion department at UNLV to benefit students.
From 1957 to 1987, Kenneth served as the Music Department Chairman for the Pine Bush Central School District in Pine Bush, New York. He directed the concert and jazz band and taught vocal music lessons. He made a positive impact on the lives of countless students during his 30-year tenure.
In 1998, Kenneth and his wife, Esther (“Fluff”), moved to Las Vegas, where he continued to share his love of music by playing the trumpet with Mellowtones, a 20-piece jazz band. In addition to playing the trumpet, he also served as the band's PR person and booking agent.
Kenneth had a great sense of humor and was always ready with a quick joke. He enjoyed playing slots and video poker and loved the classic Las Vegas restaurants. He cherished spending time with friends and family at the pool.
Kenneth is survived by his wife of 69 years, Esther Keiser; his daughter, Karen Beekman; his son-in-law, Wayne Beekman; and his two granddaughters, Rachael McGuinness and Sara Heath. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
A graveside service will be held at St. John's Cemetery in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, at 11am on May 20th, 2023, there is a luncheon at the Brickhouse in Orwigsburg, PA following the service.
The family kindly requests that any donations be made in Kenneth's memory to the American Heart Association.
Kenneth's lifelong passion for music started when he began playing the marimba at the tender age of five. He dedicated himself to pursuing his love for music and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the Lebanon Valley Conservatory of Music in 1953, followed by a Master of Science in Music Education from Ithaca College in 1960. Kenneth served with pride in the United States Military Academy Band, where he showcased his talent as a trumpet player and marimba soloist between 1953 and 1957.
To further support his passion for music, Kenneth's beloved Marimba, which was built in 1939, is being donated to the percussion department at UNLV to benefit students.
From 1957 to 1987, Kenneth served as the Music Department Chairman for the Pine Bush Central School District in Pine Bush, New York. He directed the concert and jazz band and taught vocal music lessons. He made a positive impact on the lives of countless students during his 30-year tenure.
In 1998, Kenneth and his wife, Esther (“Fluff”), moved to Las Vegas, where he continued to share his love of music by playing the trumpet with Mellowtones, a 20-piece jazz band. In addition to playing the trumpet, he also served as the band's PR person and booking agent.
Kenneth had a great sense of humor and was always ready with a quick joke. He enjoyed playing slots and video poker and loved the classic Las Vegas restaurants. He cherished spending time with friends and family at the pool.
Kenneth is survived by his wife of 69 years, Esther Keiser; his daughter, Karen Beekman; his son-in-law, Wayne Beekman; and his two granddaughters, Rachael McGuinness and Sara Heath. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
A graveside service will be held at St. John's Cemetery in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, at 11am on May 20th, 2023, there is a luncheon at the Brickhouse in Orwigsburg, PA following the service.
The family kindly requests that any donations be made in Kenneth's memory to the American Heart Association.