Keith M. Orme died peacefully in his sleep on June 9, 2023. Several years ago, he said, "If I died tonight, I would have no regrets. I have had a wonderful life." Born and reared in Idaho, he developed a love of the outdoors and one of his most memorable experiences was during three summers in high school, working for the Forest Service in remote Idaho fighting forest fires. In high school he was active in student body affairs, including being president of the Boys' Federation, the lead in the school play, basketball, and track. He graduated college as Valedictorian and was active in student activities as student body president and national president of the Intercollegiate Knights Service Fraternity. He attained Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He then studied at the Harvard Business School, graduating with an MBA with Distinction, and was named a Baker Scholar. Keith was employed in the summers on the staff of Arthur Anderson in Boston. After graduation he served on the staff of HBS as a Research Assistant.
His first business connection was V.P. of Finance for three years with Josten's, Inc. in Owatonna, Minn. His next position was the Amalgamated Sugar Co. in Ogden, Utah where he was Executive V.P. and COO. While in Ogden, Keith was active in many leadership roles such as the Rotary Club, the lead team of the Combined Federal Campaign, president of the HBS Club of Utah, and he served on the Boards of the YMCA and Nelson Ricks Creamery.
In 1968 he was recruited to San Antonio to become President of Conroy, Inc., an American Stock Exchange Company. During his career in San Antonio, he was a Director of the National Snowmobile Association, National Association of Manufacturers, and National Marine Association. Keith was a speaker at the American Management Association and a member and speaker at the Conference Board. Many years ago, he was a director of the old Main Bank and Trust and remained on several successor boards. Keith retired in 1987 after the successful development and ultimately successful sale of all of the companies in the Conroy group.
After his retirement, Keith was busy with many volunteer activities. Though not original, he lived by the motto, "Do your giving while you're living, so you're knowing where it's going." One of his primary interests was Any Baby Can, serving as Director for over 12 years, Treasurer, Vice President, President, and served several months as Interim Executive Director during the search for the new Executive Director. Keith was active for many years with the Downtown Rotary Club, where he created Rotary University to help new members integrate into Rotary and thus improve member retention. He was known as "Dean Orme." Another of his rewarding projects was his involvement in the 65th Reunion of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders in April 2007, attended by the 18 then surviving Raiders who were in their 80s and 90s. Keith organized and implemented the three main public events honoring the Raiders and Raider widows. He also served as Chairman of the Terrell Hills Water Committee which was instrumental in removing from the water bills of the Terrell Hills and Olmos Park residents the 30% premium assessed "out-of-city" citizens which had been in place for over 50 years.
Keith served on the vestry of Christ Episcopal Church, twice. Early on he was the point person to find a use on weekdays for the new Family Ministry Center which resulted in year-round use of the premises by Respite Care of San Antonio for the care of special needs children. From August 2010 to January 2013, he served as the church's Senior Warden during a time of turmoil and transition. Many parishioners credit Keith with holding the church together during this time and smoothing the road to financial stability and renewed spirit and growth. Also while Senior Warden, Keith had the distinct honor to call Patrick Gahan to be the rector at Christ Church.
In 1997, Keith was on an outreach team from the church to a Uganda Children's Orphanage to rebuild their water system. As a result of this trip, over the years he financially supported three Uganda boys to pursue their college educations. Concerned about the nursing shortage, he and Pat established scholarships at the five nursing schools in San Antonio. Keith served on the UT Health Science Center Nursing Advisory Council and later as a member of the UT Health Development Committee. When several of their friends developed Alzheimer's, Pat and Keith became early supporters of the Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Disease Research, then being established at UT Health. In 2006, Keith was honored by United Way of San Antonio as the "Unsung Hero" of the community. He was a member of the San Antonio Country Club, a director of the Conopus Club, and co-chair with Pat of Los Alegradores Dance Club.
Keith was the ultimate DIYer, from pouring their concrete driveway to building their large backyard deck. Pat's mother often said, "Keith can do anything." And she was right. He was a great storyteller, and his quick sense of humor made us all laugh. In his younger years, he actively pursued fly fishing, snowmobiling, water skiing, hiking, backpacking, tennis, handball, and golf. Exercise was of prime importance to him. Even into his last years he seldom missed a night at the gym, often being seen there until closing time. His lifetime hobby was reading history, particularly World War II. His fascination with this era started when he tried to enlist in the Marines but was told that at 11, he was too young and to come back in a few years!
Special thanks to many: his long-time housekeeper and caregiver, Rosa Ramirez; his wonderful caregivers, Olga Macias, Maria Ruiz, Sarah Montez, Margarita Fernandez, Isabel Perez, Gloria Alvarado, and others who loved and cared for him so faithfully. And gratitude to his doctor, Dr. Neela Patel, and the Heart of Texas Hospice for wonderful care.
Keith is survived by his beloved wife, Pat Vigeon Orme. His five greatest achievements were his children: sons, Judge Gregory Keith Orme and Dr. Robert Orme (Pam) of Utah; daughters, Dr. Kathleen Kennedy (Jim) and Allyson Baker (John) of Colorado, and Sherry Feldman (Craig) of North Carolina. Also surviving him are his 11 grandchildren and their spouses, 19 great-grandchildren, many cousins, and his beloved parrot, Squeak.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
MONDAY,
JUNE 19, 2023
2:00 P.M.
CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
510 BELKNAP PLACE
The Rev. Dr. Patrick Gahan and the Reverend Scott Kitayama will officiate. For those unable to attend, you may watch from the livestreaming link found within his obituary at porterloring.com.
