We are saddened to report the death of Kevin Mark Keymer, age 72, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 12, 2018 of metastatic lung cancer. Services were private, with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Annandale MN on August 15.
Born January 1, 1946 at Fort Riley, KS to Mark and Dorothy (Greve) Keymer, Kevin grew up in Minneapolis and Hopkins MN, and graduated from Control
Data Institute, and the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology where he earned a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering. He married the love of his life, Chikako Oku, in Osaka, Japan, on October 22, 1977. They resided in St. Cloud, MN.
Kevin had a lifelong career at Malco Products, starting in the Tool-and-Die Department and Manufacturing Engineering. In the mid-1970’s he wrote cutting-edge sales and marketing software, allowing the company to increase its leadership and dominance in its field. He was a company owner and board member for over 40 years, and along with his three younger brothers, recently achieved their goal of converting the company to employee-owned and controlled.
Kevin possessed a unique technical genius—there was virtually no mechanical, automotive, electrical, electronic, or digital device that he could not understand or troubleshoot. As a faithful Catholic, he combined his beliefs and his God-given talents in a life of generously and tirelessly helping others—often by repairing or building things. He could see value in everything and found it difficult to waste anything. Over the past 25 years, Kevin donated his time writing software, first for Guiding Eyes for the Blind in New York, followed by the International Working Dog Registry. This database for guide and service dog organizations around the world enables breeding healthier and more confident dogs and is advancing the field of genetics. His talents will be sorely missed.
Survivors include his wife: Chikako; brothers: Gerry (Mary Ellen) of St. Cloud MN, David (Carol) of Plymouth MN, and Paul of Clearwater MN; and nine nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Marsha.
Kevin had requested that memorials be sent to Quiet Oaks Hospice House, 5537 Galaxy Road, St. Cloud MN 56301.
Respectfully,
MALCO PRODUCTS, SBC
Mardon Quandt
President/CEO