Keith Birch

Keith Birch
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Our loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Keith Birch, passed away peacefully on Sept 12, 2016. Keith was born on December 14, 1922 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Ulysses and Winnefred North Birch. He was raised in Saint Anthony, Idaho with six siblings. After graduating from Saint Anthony High School in 1941, Keith headed to Los Angeles in order to pursue more opportunities. Having lived through the Great Depression, like many people of his generation, he learned the value of hard work - a work ethic that defined him in many ways. After the momentous bombing of Pearl Harbor, Keith joined the U.S. Navy. Following a period of specialized training, he entered into active duty from 1943 to 1946, during which he served as an Aviation Machinist Mate First Class. He was called back to duty during the Korean War from 1950 to 1951, this time in the U.S. Air Force as a Technical Sergeant. Keith was very proud of his service to his country, and like many of the Greatest Generation, understood the importance of being a self-sacrificing individual for the greater good.

Keith married his sweetheart, Dora Mae Hogge, on October 29, 1948. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple on October 29, 1964. Keith and Dora enjoyed a very loving and respectful relationship, and gave their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren a beautiful legacy of parental concern and love. Through their union, they produced two each of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

After Dora's death in 2001, Keith met a special friend, Isabelle Taintor. They enjoyed many years of wonderful companionship with one another, especially their time together at her South Fork cabin. Isabelle's family adopted Keith into their family as a friend and grandfather. He was very grateful to be considered a part of the Taintor family.

Keith was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in which he served as a home teacher. He and his beloved Dora lived and raised their family (until her passing) in Ogden, Utah from 1947 until the end of his days. Keith worked as a civilian at Hill Air Force Base for many years until his eventual retirement. He had the opportunity to work on many different aircraft, including the newly developing jet engine. Keith enjoyed attending the Utah Symphony, viewing his favorite television shows, dining out, working in his yard, landscaping, and spending valuable time with family and friends. Above all, Keith enjoyed sports. He and his son enjoyed attending Weber State football games beginning in 1969, and continued this tradition for many years to come. Keith and his son forged many memories playing football together on the front lawn. He was an avid Utah Jazz fan and loved cheering the team on with his beloved wife, Dora. More recently, he enjoyed watching the Olympics and was a devout viewer of CNN News.

One of the most significant aspects of Keith's life was his membership in the Ogden Golden Hours Veterans Group. He, along with four others, was a founding member of this group. Keith served as the unofficial historian of the group for a number of years. He enjoyed learning about history, and especially spending time with other individuals who played significant roles in our nation's heritage. His comradeship with his fellow veterans was a very meaningful part of Keith's life.

Keith was preceded in death by his wife Dora; brothers Emmett, Kenneth, Jack, and Reed; sisters Verna and Martha, and his dear friend Isabelle Taintor. He is survived by his daughter Luann (John) Whitehill and his son Brent Keith Birch; grandchildren Jason (Elisha) Benny and Dustin Benny; great grandchildren Dylan and Briana Benny, brother Wendell Birch, sister Jayne Green, and niece Janet Maw.

The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to the many organizations and people who helped care for our dad, including HCNU Hospice, Bristol Hospice, Wasatch Home Helpers, Manor Care, South Ogden Post-Acute, and George E. Wahlen Veterans Home. To all of the many dedicated people that were involved in dad's care and wellbeing: we extend our genuine gratitude for treating dad with respect, dignity and love. As his children, we would also like to express our thankfulness to the many wonderful friends and other family members for their loving embraces, acts of kindness, and friendly gestures. We are especially grateful for the numerous acts of kind-hearted service offered on behalf of our dad.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Myers Ogden Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd. A viewing will be held on Friday from 6-8 p.m., and prior to services on Saturday from 12 to 12:45 p.m. at the Mortuary.

Interment will be held at Evergreen Memorial Park.
VisitationMyers Mortuary - Ogden
100 Monroe Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84404
September 23, 2016
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
ServiceMyers Mortuary - Ogden
1875 Monroe Blvd
Ogden, Utah 84401
September 24, 2016
1:00 PM
CemeteryMyers Evergreen Memorial Park
100 Monroe Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84404
September 24, 2016