Keith Burkhardt

Steven, Colin, Gavin, Laura, Scott and family.
Our sincere sympathy to all of you during this difficult time. There will be lots of great memories that you will be able to share with each other over the years.

Keith was such a great friend! From camping trips and weekend getaways many years ago, to more-recent dinners (and Perfect Patron margaritas) at Casa Toro, and seeing him at our regular summer and holiday parties. Sometimes we'd go months between getting together, yet it never felt like we were growing apart.

He loved his family and his eyes sparkled when he talked about his grandchildren. His laughter was infectious, and his joy in life was enviable.

We're heartbroken that Keith's gone so soon. We pray for his eternal life in God's love and glory - and we pray for peace and comfort for Steven and Laura, Colin, Gavin, Ada, and Levi.

Love,
Dave and Donna

There is a hole in our family now, left by an irreplaceable soul, our Uncle Keith. He was such a wonderful person, and an incredible uncle both to Morgan and Justin and to the next generation of Burkhardts, Charlie and MaryAnn.

You could always count on him. When our children were baptized, he was there (even a week early, lol). When they were little, he showed up with toys for them. When we had birthday parties for them, he was there. When we needed someone to watch Charlie in our own difficult time when Lou passed, he and Scott were there to take care of him.

I’ll remember Uncle Keith in so many memories, like going to see a play with just he and Scott, seeing Springsteen with him, countless Thursday dinners at the Brass Rail and other restaurants, visiting his house for holidays and Super Bowls…

But what I will remember most is that he was the ultimate family man, especially when it came to children. Uncle Keith was the guy who would get down on the floor and play trucks or games with the kids. He had the best Donald Duck impression he used to make them laugh. I remember him playing with the kids in the ball pit at Ada’s party. He played with my own nephew at Celtic Fest when we all used to go. The photos and stories I hear from Morgan’s childhood include Keith spending a lot of time with him, especially bonding over the Raiders. He had an instant connection with Charlie when he was born, as evidenced by how many pictures there are here of the two of them together. He loved kids and was a natural with them - maybe because he was a big one himself. He was the definition of the “fun uncle.”

I will miss Uncle Keith’s humor, his laugh, his matter-of-fact way of saying things, but mostly I will miss his gigantic heart.

The Autumn Wind is a pirate.

Blustering in from sea,
with a rollicking song, he sweeps along, swaggering boisterously.

His face is weather beaten. He wears a hooded sash.

With a silver hat about his head, and a bristling black mustache.

He growls as he storms the country.

A villain big and bold.

And the trees all shake and quiver and quake,
as he robs them of their gold.

The Autumn Wind is a Raider, pillaging just for fun.

He'll knock you 'round and upside down, and laugh when he's conquered and won!

- to Uncle Keith. The patriarch of the Burkhardt Raider Nation! 🖤🏴‍☠️