Here's a brief snapshot of life:
Edward A. "Skip" Keyser, 71, of Lexington, Kentucky, died Saturday, October 30, 2010. He was born April 28, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, to Mildred Lee Hernly Keyser and the late Edward Arnold Keyser, Sr. Skip served in the US Navy for 26 years, was a Life Member of Optimist International, Life Member of the US Naval Institute, Member of the National Model Railroad Club and a director with the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation. He also served more than 3300 volunteer hours at the VA Medical Center in Lexington.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his daughter, Danielle (David) Samuelson, stationed in South Korea (US Army); grandchildren, Grace and Tristan Samuelson; brothers, Richard (Joan) Keyser, Frisco, TX; James Keyser, Chicago, IL; and Dawn Robitaille, Lexington, KY.
Skip's ashes will be buried at sea by the US Navy.
Dad was (and still is, in Navy circles) best known in the military for being one of the plank owners and the curriculum writer for the Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, RI. He was honored to be one of those few selected for the position of Master Chief of the Navy, but decided that a political figurehead position wasn't for him, so he retired after serving 26 years in the Navy.
After his retirement from the Navy, we travelled cross country, visiting almost every amusement part between RI and CA, as that is the only way a 10 year old could tolerate the trip filled with "fun and interesting" things (you know - historical landmarks, museums, National Parks - all things I make my kids go through now...). We settled in El Paso, TX where my dad began working for US Customs and became a Customs Inspector. He was also heavily involved in my swimming, getting up at 4:30 almost every morning to drive me 30 minutes downtown so I could go practice. He also spent almost every weekend in the confines of a loud swimming pool - unless, of course, it was summer time, in which case we were all baking in the hot desert sun. He also became very involved in the Hugh O'Brien Youth Foundation (a seminar for high school sophomores which encourages them to follow their dreams, features many successful entrepreneurs who tell about their successes and trials). He continued his love for working with HOBY kids in Lexington, KY, improving the seminar to the best it had ever been.
After retiring from Customs, he began taking classes at the University of Kentucky through the Donovan Scholars program. This is a program that allows senior citizens to audit classes free of charge. He never did well in school growing up, but he thoroughly enjoyed his time at UK - associating with the kids and also learning a thing or two (even though he refused to take an exam :) ). He also volunteered at least three days a week at the Lexington VA hosptital, and had a wonderful time serving and getting to know his fellow Veterans.
He was loved by many, and will be greatly missed, but all praise be to God as we know we will be together again some day.
