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Albert N. Keim, retired history professor at EMU, departed this life on June 27 at U.Va. Medical Center of complications following a liver transplant.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy Fisher. Also surviving are a daughter, Melody Keim, and two grandsons, Jeremy Keim-Shenk and Jonathan Keim-Shenk of Lancaster, Pa.
His parents, Noah and Sarah Miller Keim, as well as a sister, Savilla Keim, are deceased. Also deceased is his wife of 38 years, Leanna Yoder Keim, who died in 1998.
Seven siblings who survive include Melvin Keim of Fort Defiance, Va., Edna Beiler of Mogadore, Ohio, Simon Keim of Clarksville, Va., John Keim of Harrisonburg, Leroy Keim of Salem, Ohio, Esther Keim of Aroda, Va., and Martha Proffitt of Ruckersville, Va.
His education included a BA in History from EMU in 1963, a Masters Degree from U.Va. in 1965 and a Ph.D. in History from Ohio State University. He taught history at EMU for 35 years and served as academic dean from 1977-1984, retiring in 2000. Al and Kathy were married in 2000 and during their first year of marriage lived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Kathy had taught for many years.
Al served in Europe as an MCC Pax volunteer in post-war relief efforts from 1956-1958. This experience expanded his world profoundly and resulted in travel to Europe, Asia and a much-anticipated trip to China in 2006.
He was the author of many articles and several books including Harold S. Bender, already considered a classic, and The CPS Story. He is one of only two authors to have two books listed in "The Essential Anabaptist-Mennonite History Reading List."
He made a major contribution to the creation of the Valley Brethren Mennonite Heritage Center in every phase of its renovation and construction, serving as the first director in 2001-2002, and was a board member from 2000 to the present.
Al's interests ranged across the human spectrum-love of family, education, farming (he raised steers and collected small tractors as a hobby), travel, and service. A voracious reader, he was philosophical about the human saga, summarized in his autobiography, "In Search of a Worldview: What did I know and when did I know it?"
The family will receive visitors on Monday, June 30, at Park View Mennonite Church from 6 to 8 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at Park View Mennonite Church on Tuesday, July 1, at 10 a.m. with burial following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Valley Brethren/Mennonite Heritage Center, P.O. Box 1563, Harrisonburg, VA 22803; or to the Mennonite Central Committee, 21 S. 12th St. P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kygers.com.
Arrangements entrusted to the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.
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