Keith Edward Wier passed away comfortably at home in Longmont, Colorado on October 25, 2021 related to complications from a stroke. Keith was born on January 16, 1943 at Oakpark Hospital to Lorraine Helen Kluzak and Casey (Casimir) Wier and spent his childhood in Berwyn, Illinois. Keith married Carol Pohl of Cicero, Illinois in 1965 and lived in Chicago where their first daughter, Amy Helene was born in 1967. Daughter Noel Rene was born in 1970 in Columbus, Ohio and daughter Betsy Alise was born in 1973 in Boulder, Colorado.
Keith attended St. Francis of Rome Elementary School and graduated from Morton High School in Cicero, Illinois in 1961. He was named to the National Honor Society, he ran track and was sports editor for the school newspaper. Keith graduated with a BS in Physics from Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana in 1964. He was a member of an honorary drill team the Zouaves. He belonged to the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and served as the president his senior year. He completed a Master’s degree in Solid State Physics at the Illinois Institute of Technology and a National Science Foundation Fellowship in 1967. His thesis was focused on Color Centers. He obtained an MBA from Ohio State University in 1970. In Ohio, Keith worked for Industrial Nucleonics and then the family relocated to Boulder, Colorado where he opened Sagecrest Reality in 1972. He worked in real estate until the early 1980s when he decided to return to scientific pursuits. He worked for several small firms eventually partnering in a venture to develop super dense materials in energy efficient production methods to mitigate industrial environmental pollution.
Keith loved playing golf with his father in his youth and he later joined various golf leagues. He shared his love of golf with his grandchildren. Keith had an adventurous spirit which led him to try many activities, like sailing, kayaking, and gliding out of Boulder’s airport. He enjoyed hiking and camping with his family. Skiing was a favorite winter sport and he skied with his cousin Jack well into his 70s. Keith ‘s interests included drawing, painting, and travel. Keith loved to cook and prepare meals, even adventuring into the art of making yogurt and hosting “grandpa’s chili dinners”. Keith was a story teller at heart, always sharing a good tale or two, sometimes a fact sometimes a fiction. Keith deeply pondered both physics and spirituality, sharing his thoughts and ideas with family and friends. He was an animal and nature lover and the best dog sitter the family canines could ask for. Keith was kind, funny, and uniquely himself-he will be missed.
While living in Boulder he was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, and the St. Barnabas Episcopal Parish during his years in Denver. In Longmont he worshiped at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
Keith is survived by ex-wife Carol Wier of Westminster, CO. Daughters Betsy Wier of Fort Collins, Noel Wier of Niwot (Max Bigelow) and Amy Harman (Tony Harman) of Boulder. Keith had eight grandchildren: Paloma Wier of Ft. Collins, Eva Wier March of Denver, Isaiah Wier March of Golden, Jesse Wier Bigelow of Niwot, Camilla Wier Bigelow of Niwot, Tyler Harman of Seoul Korea, Madison Harman of Atlanta Georgia, Trey Harman of Boulder. And, his cousins Jack Kluzak of Castle Rock, CO and Tom Kluzak of Palm Springs, California.
A funeral was held on October 29, 2021 and a Celebration of Life will be held on January 16, 2022 in honor of his birthday.
Contributions may be made in Keith’s memory by using this link and then donated collectively to the Southern Plains Land Trust in his name.
The Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLT) was founded in 1998 with the goal of creating a network of prairie wildlife refuges for bison, pronghorn, wild horses, small animals, birds, and more to preserve and restore ecosystem biodiversity. https://southernplains.org/
I new keith when he was a part of St. Barnabas Epioscopal Church. He was always jovial and friendly. I’m glad to have known him. My Condolences to his family.
Thank you Harry for remembering my dad!