He was someone who made conversations feel meaningful, not because he needed to say a great deal, but because when he did speak, there was grace and thoughtfulness behind his words. I enjoyed walking into his office, seeing him sipping on his glass of milk and those classic lamps, sharing a moment with "KB," as many of us called him, and leaving feeling better and more lighthearted than before.

I am grateful for the time I had with him. His memory remains with me as a reminder of how much one person’s gentleness and authenticity can touch the lives of others. Keith will be deeply missed, but the goodness he shared continues in the hearts of those who knew him. - Allan Cho

I for one will very sadly miss these times!

Richard Hopkins

I enjoyed our talks about his visits to the fish and cheese stores and what he was planning on cooking for the evening dinner, which he took great pleasure in - always ensuring there was a tasty meal for David.

Often he would pass my office on his way to get his lunch with his crystal tumbler for his milk and his stories about Bob and Jazz were always amusing. Always the snazzy dresser, I enjoyed discovering what designer socks he would have on that day - usually co-ordinated with his sweaters.

He helped me so much in the area of collections and reference when I first started my job and up until the day he retired. His knowledge was truly amazing. A kind and gentle soul who never had a harsh word to say about anyone, he always looked for the good in everyone.

He will deeply be missed on so many levels. - Susan Paterson

2490 W 37th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6M 1P5

My heart goes out to Keith's family, friends, and community in their loss and mourning.

It began way back in the Main library in HSS, (probably in 1995/96?) after Ture Erikson retired and KB took on his role in HSS. But he was located in Sedgewick till we all moved to Krnr in Jan 1997.

Over the years, I worked closely with Keith and the HSS Ref. print collection. He was so knowledgeable and very happy to in part with his knowledge. He would painstakingly go thro' the newly received books for Krnr in the 219 office (i.e. Meghan's reference, "magic wand").

He had a love/hate relationship with the office printer/copier and I would periodically hear him utter threats towards it. One day, he 'kicked' it and I had to come to its rescue :-)

He named me the Sri Lankan firecracker and I fondly called him KB! One day I heard him greet colleagues around me, and I said to him: "what, am I chopped liver?". That nick name stuck, as well ;-)

I would often bug him about the 'holes' on the elbows of his well worn sweaters - needless to say those were his favourites. Oh and... he had a great sock collection, which always matched his attire for the day.

Yes, many fond and witty memories.

KB was missed very much after his retirement in 2022, but I always knew I could reach out to him. But now, that sadly can't be the case :-(

I had the privilege of having lunch with KB & David on May 9th in their cozy home and we spent a wonderful afternoon chatting about life and library stuff.... Little did I realize that would be my last interaction with Keith :-(

I am ever so grateful that he reached out and we had a great afternoon together. I will hold it dear to my heart!

Rest in peace my gentle and kind friend/colleague.

My deepest sympathies to David and family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

xoxo

Aprille McCauley

Richard Sullivan

As others have commented I was always charmed by Keith’s devotion to his milk 🥛 ritual!

He just always had the kindest ways in the office. From calling out to the Sri Lankan firecracker (whom he adored) to announcing he got the best seat on the bus on the way to work (the sideways seat behind the driver) and referring to himself as the “passenger princess.”

He had a way of making us all feel special. He reminded me of Mr.Roger’s. I was not a librarian or library assistant, yet when I told him how much I’d loved a certain book, I couldn’t believe it when he acquired a copy!! I later excitedly went and found it on the shelf. It made me feel so seen. That’s who Keith was to me.

So grateful I got to work with you dear soul, may you rest in peace.

The genius clutter of his office was made all the more endearing to me the day his lamp nearly caught fire from the combination of heat and accumulated dust. Watching the way he laughed this incident off was a masterclass in how to move through life. I have never met his equal.

Keith's generosity was so effortless and yet so deeply impactful. From time to time, when we worked together, he would give me a lift home in his Volvo (naturally, the best car ever), and the honour of the gesture never left me. Many years ago, he also gifted me an old Kenwood receiver and CD player when he upgraded his stereo system. Though it's rarely used and occupies valuable space, I have never been able to part with it because of the happy memories it brings. Today I will dust it off, play some Handel, and light a candle for Keith to help illuminate his journey home.

I still remember the first time he reassured me after I made a mistake answering a reference question, shrugging it off with his trademark line: “Worse things happen at sea.” I can still hear him telling stories about orchestra conducting mishaps, or referring to trips to Ontario as “coming to Canada for a visit.”

He graciously tolerated my awkward habit of bringing two-litre bottles of cider to his dinner parties, and when I visited him, he would offer me calvados, but claimed it made him sneeze.

I miss those wonderfully distinctive sayings, the humour, and the perspective he brought to every conversation. Most of all, I’m saddened by the thought that there won’t be any new Keith stories or expressions to add to the collection of memories I treasure so much.

Like Aprille, I first started working with Keith when the HSS, Government Publications, Periodicals, and Microforms Divisions in Main Library Riddington all combined and moved over to the new Koerner Library in 1997. It was there, keying orders for him, Jenny, Pia, Mary, Dorothy and Helene that I got to experience his droll morning greetings as he wandered by everyone's cubicles. But I had known him in his element as a reference librarian even earlier, for as an undergraduate in the early 90s, I had encountered him at the Sedgewick reference desk as I struggled with some tedious assignment on Shakespeare, asked if the library happened to have any books on a guy named Shakespeare. After it was gently suggested that I might consider narrowing my topic down from just “Shakespeare”, I was grandly waved (there really is no other way to describe Keith’s wave) over in the direction of the card catalogue in front of the spiral staircase.

I remember Megan telling me that she once asked Keith why he usually drove to his Volvo work instead of taking the bus. His reply: “Well, I called for the bus but it never came.” Thus, I was surprised to read in some of these memories that Keith eventually did end up taking the bus places. Perhaps eventually it did come when he called.

I was not as close to Keith as many of you were; this I know because when I was invited to one of his dinner parties, the email invite did not come from Keith directly. Instead, it was signed “kb, executive assistant to KB”.

kb, please relay my sincere sympathy to David, Eric, and all who were close to KB. And to KB, please let him know he remains treasured even by those who had not seen him in many years. We will meet again by the book trucks parked just beyond the pearly gates.

My favourite memories of Keith is him walking into the office each morning with his lunch box and a kind welcome to the morning. He would always stop by to talk, about shows we watched or news we read that morning, before saying, “It’s time for Dora (his lunch box with Dora the Explorer on it) to go the fridge.” He always put a smile on my face.

With his quick wit and amazing taste in socks, Keith brought joy to the day, something I’ve missed. Rest well and know you will never be forgotten.

I have a funny story to share. When Anne O cleaned up her office in 2005, she left Keith an orange on her last day. Keith kept the orange on his desk and it turned into a fossil. When I was on leave and he retired, he left the orange fossil and a FRESH orange in my office. I came back to work and I laughed and laughed. True Keith humour. The second orange is slowly turning into a fossil, nearly 4 years after. I’ll pass them on with a third orange when I retire. Who knows how long we can keep this going?🍊

- Susan Atkey

So many moments and memories shared here that I have so appreciated reading. It is clear that KB touched many.

I first met KB way back in 1990 when I was hired (by MDub/Martha Whitehead) in Sedgewick. We had so much fun back then in Sedgewick, and you know KB was behind most of it!

A memory to share...KB gave me the very important job of picking up The Province newspaper from the SUB newsstand on my way from the bus to the library every morning. At the end of each work day, he would meticulously count out coins for me to buy the paper with the next morning. KB informed me that he couldn't pick up the paper because he did not take the bus and was therefore not near a newspaper stand. :)

My condolences to KB's family and to all who loved him. Truly a remarkable human.

Because we worked in different branches, seeing Keith always felt like a gift. I worked with him on committees, visited him in his well-curated office, and saw him by chance walking on campus or Main Street. Whatever the occasion, he shared his generous heart and his unique way of viewing the world. He wore the best socks and had the finest anecdotes.  He knew and understood so much. I will miss the serendipity of seeing him, as well as the brightness he brought to this world.

While print was always his preferred format - I was so grateful for all of his work and leadership with the eBooks Team and LCT. He always kept the work down to earth and never wanted to see us sacrifice the value of print books in libraries.

He was so easy to talk to and approachable no matter what the topic. Even from afar, I appreciated Keith's willingness to chat with me from day one of working at UBC. He'll be so deeply missed and was truly the epitome of being a Librarian at UBC.