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Memorial Keepers(2)
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Keith Lommel
September 30th, 1976 - May 16th, 2021
September 30th, 1976 - May 16th, 2021
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Craig Critchfield
I'm not sure why, but I decided to google up Keith today to see what his life has been up to. Wasn't expecting to stumble across a memorial video on youtube for him, nor this. I met Keith in Albuquerque, NM in 8th grade when my family moved there from Amarillo, TX. He and I had an algebra class for advanced students. We hated it, because the prof thought that meant teach us at a break-neck pace, and load us up with tons of homework. I was right-brained, and Keith helped me understand some of the stuff the teacher didn't teach well. Keith DM'ed a D&D group, and invited me to join. He always played a wizard. He wanted to think problems through as opposed to "hulk smash" like the other players. He was just on another level compared to others. Super bright. We played RPG's together. We'd spend the night at each others house on the weekends. His brother was super-cool, too. We'd play NES, or computer games. Keith was way into computers back then. He had an IBM AT computer, and was always looking at the programming book and programming magazines that he had. Before that, he had a Commodore 64 that he liked programming. I thought for sure he'd go into comp sci. I mean, maybe he did? I'm not quite sure what he ended up doing. Keith was the kind of friend you could talk philosophy with, like why are we here, what's the meaning of life. He always had interesting perspectives and insights on things. We lost touch when I went into high school. Then I moved away from Albuquerque at 18. I don't know why I googled him today. Just felt like it. But, to come across this. I'm not sure how to process this. I just remember the friend I had in school way back then, and now he's gone. I don't know how to process this. I'm sitting here crying, because I waited too long to try to reconnect, and now that chance is gone forever. I'm sorry, Keith.
Connie Lommel
Keith was an extraordinary child and adult . As a young child he was quite precocious, extraordinary, interesting. He enjoyed reading and would love to read books in series as a child The Three Investigators and continued reading throughout his life. I remember him getting me to read all the Robert Jordan Wheel of Time books He loved his kindle and I while in Newport he read massive technical books for his masters at the war college , He passed this love of books to his son Gareth reading him stories nightly. He also loved to collect DVD collections. Since he was out of the country most of the time and not Netflix accessible he would purchase complete TV series or movies and when I would visit we would marathon. Some of his favorites were The Wire. Battlestar Gallactica , and Breaking Bad among others. When we visited relatives in Albuquerque he had to drive to each of the movie sites in breaking bad, Every visit at home we would marathon tv shows most memorable was Game of Thrones. As a child he loved games. He would write computer games or make paper games. He loved PAC Man , Atari, PlayStation He would love to go to Chuck E Cheese and play dragons lair leading to a lifelong love of dragons. He frequently would remind he was waiting for a dragon quilt I was to make. Unfortunately. It was only started and will be given his son who I will remind got his dads dragon quilt. He also loved board games and has a huge collection. We would play on each visit and he would gift me games he felt I might find an interest in . He loved photography and had multiple cameras and drones. His photo albums of all the places he lived in or visited would take anyone viewing a real feel for the places. He loved to cook and because many of his assignments lacked good pizzerias or bakeries he made delicious pizzas , tasty sourdough bread , chili , burritos and breakfast sandwiches. He met the love of his life Michele and had a son Gareth making him the happiest guy on earth. I have attached a few pictures of these memories. Enjoy.
Robert Wang
My enduring impression of Keith comes from the first time I saw him give a rousing performance of "One Night in Beijing" IN CHINESE during an embassy event shortly after we arrived there almost exactly ten years ago. A few years later, when Michele told me that she was going out with Keith (then posted to Osaka), I remember thinking how lovely a match this would be, given Michele's own talents! And together they now have Gareth, one of the most amazing and friendliest boy I have come to know. As one of my favorite saying goes: "Let time go by, for love is forever."
Connie Lommel
Part of Keith’s extensive game collection. He usually always on the winning side
Brian Bedell
A decade ago, Keith was my neighbor and colleague in Beijing. He struck me as a diligent worker, a brilliant linguist, and a skilled photographer. He was also an excellent cook and the only bachelor in my social group that didn’t eat out five nights a week. I also recall his sense of humor and keen insights about Chinese culture and society. Keith will be missed but at the same time always remembered.
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