Keith Robert George Schropfer

KEITH ROBERT GEORGE SCHROPFER 

(March 23 1949 - June 17 2021)

As Keith’s wife, partner, friend, and soulmate for over 50 years he asked me when the time came to let people know that on June 17, 2021, he left this earthly world and has gone on a final trip to see family and friends who have made this very same journey before him. He also asked me to tell you not to mourn him as his life was full of love, adventure, and all of the things people hope a life will be. From the time he was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1949 he found joy in so many things this world had to offer. Keith was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces and was transferred to Penhold, Alberta in 1972 and instantly fell in love with this province and it became home. He left the Armed Forces to start his own landscaping company, bought some land and eventually got into Elk farming. Those years on the acreage created happy memories for so many with the infamous summer picnics, Christmas parties and any other excuse he could come up with to gather family and friends together to play games, eat, laugh and enjoy being together.

Keith’s other big love was the outdoors which found him travelling from the Yukon to Newfoundland and all the provinces in between for fish and game. He also enjoyed trips to Mexico and the Bahamas seeking the elusive bone fish. It wasn’t just the fishing it was the company of his buddies George, Arnold and Gary and sometimes others who wanted to get in on the action and laughs.

He was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome a number of years back for which there is no cure. He spent the past two years receiving blood transfusions which became less and less effective as time went on. He faced this with his usual grace, courage and humour. He never once said why me, but was amazed he had so many heathy years during which got to do the things he loved.

He made the decision that the quality of his life was far more important than quantity so he stopped the transfusions one month ago. He told me he had no regrets and there was nothing left on his bucket list so it was time for a new adventure. He also asked me to ensure that the people who were so kind and caring know that he truly appreciated what they did. Dr Rudolph, his oncologist and all of the people at the Red Deer Cancer Centre, his family physician Dr Hopfner, the incredible Palliative Home Care Team from Innisfail especially to Amanda who during those last hours was such a source of strength and compassion, his sister-in-law Bev and his brother Kevin and his nephew Joe who seemed to show up at those times when we needed him. There are many others of course and you all in some way had a part in this journey he went on.

He loved deeply and was loved back which is a sign of a life well lived. Those he leaves behind will miss him but he gave us so many wonderful memories to hold on to and one day we will be going on that trip ourselves and if he’s not too busy fishing perhaps he will meet us and give us one of his great hugs. Let your happiest memories of him comfort you through the sadness and know that these recollections of his strength and love will always sustain you and bring you peace. He asked there be no funeral, but we will have one more picnic sometime later this summer, not to mourn him but to celebrate the life of a great husband, father, uncle, friend and the man who was Keith Schropfer.

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