Obituary of Kenneth Eugene Keirstead

Kenneth Eugene Keirstead, 81, of Fredericton, NB, passed away on January 6th, 2022, peacefully at home among those who loved him. Born on November 26th, 1940 to Eugene and Gladys (Rodney) Keirstead in Johannesburg, Ken started life on a small mission station in rural South Africa in a second-generation missionary family from Keirstead Mountain, New Brunswick. There he developed a deep love for Africa and its people, its history and the natural world that surrounded him. Sent to Canada in 1957 to further his education, he was a life-long student, who earned degrees from Dalhousie University, Queen’s University, University of New Brunswick and the College of William and Mary in business and the sciences. Visionary, entrepreneur, scientist, mentor, patriarch, builder, thinker and farmer, he spent his life touching and encouraging many, traveling the world, amassing countless unique, often dangerous, experiences, launching and developing his various careers in health care development, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, drug development and corporate governance. He loved his many pursuits and consistently excelled in them. As a child of Africa, he gave back whenever possible and spent many years building first a clinic and then a hospital for the under-served in rural Guinea. First he imagined it and then, with the help of many willing souls, he built it. Endowed with a giving heart and great perseverance, Ken made a lasting difference. He was a gentleman, un chevalier sans peur et sans reproche: kind, loyal, steadfast and nurturing. A generous friend and loving husband. He never failed to show up. He kept the faith. Ken is survived by his wife Lynne Tompkins, his children Michael (Laura) Keirstead, James Keirstead, Yolanda (Blair) Philp, Karl (Elena) Keirstead, Hans (Nicole) Keirstead and Krista (David) Keirstead, the mother of his children Sandra Keirstead, 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren as well as various nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Eugene and Gladys Keirstead, his step mother Alice Keirstead and his brothers Harold, Glendon and Reginald Keirstead. The family is enduringly grateful for Randy Gineau, consummate caregiver, as well as the New Brunswick Palliative Care and Extra Mural system. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1