Ronald Otto Keil

Ronald "Ron" Otto Keil was born July 29, 1932, in The Dalles, OR, to Otto and Iona Keil. Ron and his younger brother Doug grew up in The Dalles and in Beaverton, OR. In high school, Ron was a three-sports varsity athlete playing baseball, basketball, and football. He graduated from The Dalles High School in 1950. Ron attended the University of Oregon, Clark College, and Lewis & Clark where we played basketball and baseball. Ron was the backup two guard and starting center fielder as a walk-on freshman at University of Oregon. Ron later transferred to Clark College where he continued to play until he graduated. Following graduation from Lewis and Clark College, Ron joined the Army and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. He received the "Good Conduct Medal" during his years of service. Ron married Barbara (Austin) and they began their family together. They raised their three sons Rick, Jeff, and Ronald Jr. In 1957, Ron bought the family grocery store, "Keil's" in Longview, WA, and grew the business over the next 60 years. Ron expanded the business opening 10 grocery stores from Longview, to Beaverton, Tualatin and Gresham, OR. He sold his business to Safeway in 1985. In 1990, he went on to open two "Keil's" in San Diego, CA. His eldest son, Rick continues the family legacy in the grocery business. Ron married Susan (Pjesky) and together they had a son, Morgan. In his career, Ron was involved in many associations such as President of the Washington State Food Dealers Association, Board Member of Food Marketing Institute and was slated to be national president when he sold in 1985, District 510 Governor for Rotary International, Chair of Clark College Board, Board Member of the Bank of Clark County, Board Member of Identity Clark County (ICC), Board Member of the PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Foundation, and member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and St. John Lutheran Church. Ron was always passionate about his family, friends, sports, boating, golf and his numerous business ventures. As almost everyone knows, he loved boats, but they did not always love him back. Ron lived in his home in Lake Shore for 50 years spending time overlooking Vancouver Lake and enjoying a cigar with his sons and friends. Ron remarried in 2012 to Joan (Carter). They enjoyed their time together, with their two large Labrador Retrievers, Mort and Willey. Ron was preceded in death by his son, Jeff; his parents, Otto and Iona; and his brother, Doug. He is survived by his wife, Joan; his sons, Rick (Kimberly), Ronald Jr. (Holly), Morgan (Kelsey); and stepchildren, Bart (Carly) Hansen and Betsy (Matt) Collins. Six grandchildren, Dane (Joyce), Katie, Hayley, Tyler (Dana), Madisen, Natalie; and six step-grandchildren, Louis, Caroline, Max, Lillian, Theo, and Quinn; five great-grandchildren, Ireland, Taevon, Valynda, Thoryn, and Odin. Memorial service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Vancouver, WA, Friday, July 23, at 11 a.m. A family burial service will be held in Longview.

Ronald Otto Keil

July 29, 1932 - June 29, 2021