1938
Ronald
2023
Ronald Keiger
December 12, 1938 — September 27, 2023
Ronald Darr Keiger, Sr., passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, September 27, 2023, at his home in Wilmington, NC, surrounded by his family. He was born December 12, 1938, in Winston-Salem, NC, to Leona Harpe Keiger and Roy Otis Keiger.
Ron’s curiosity was limitless. He enjoyed music, photography, history, nature, politics, sports, animals, fishing, and boating. He was a tinkerer and a fixer, and a self-taught lifelong learner of all things that interested him. He was a big kid at heart and related to people of all ages, and touched many people’s lives with his love of laughter and appreciation of good times. He had a sharp intellect and a quick sense of humor, bordering on corny at times.
He joined the USMC directly out of high school. While attending UNC-Chapel Hill, and serving in the reserves, he met and married Alice. He completed his degree at Guilford College. He worked as a salesman throughout the years, but his main joys in life were his family, friends, and tennis. He won many National and state tennis tournaments, playing with many different partners, teams, and family members. He was most proud to win five National USTA grandfather/grandson championship titles, most recently in 2016, on hard and grass courts. Ron and Alice were also USTA National Clay Court Championship finalists in 2011.
His love of tennis was second only to his love of people. He was kind to all he met and in thirty minutes he would make a lifelong friend. Many people benefited from his friendship and encouragement. Ron had a big heart and will be missed by all those whose lives he touched.
Ron is survived by his wife of 63 years, Alice Forester Keiger; son R. Darr Keiger, Jr., and wife Elizabeth, of Miami, FL; daughter Beth Helpingstine of Chapel Hill, NC; and two grandchildren, Chase and Tori Helpingstine; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A service followed by a celebration of life will be held on October 24th at 1:30pm at The Holy Cross Episcopal Church of Myrtle Grove, Wilmington, NC. Live streaming will be available for those unable to travel. Go to the church website, scroll down to the video for the service, and click on the play button.
Website is https://www.HCEW.org
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your charity of choice. The family also sincerely requests that random acts of kindness be spread to others as Ron would want and love everyone to pay it forward.
Aquamation Services are provided by Tranquility Cremation by Aquamation.
Ron’s curiosity was limitless. He enjoyed music, photography, history, nature, politics, sports, animals, fishing, and boating. He was a tinkerer and a fixer, and a self-taught lifelong learner of all things that interested him. He was a big kid at heart and related to people of all ages, and touched many people’s lives with his love of laughter and appreciation of good times. He had a sharp intellect and a quick sense of humor, bordering on corny at times.
He joined the USMC directly out of high school. While attending UNC-Chapel Hill, and serving in the reserves, he met and married Alice. He completed his degree at Guilford College. He worked as a salesman throughout the years, but his main joys in life were his family, friends, and tennis. He won many National and state tennis tournaments, playing with many different partners, teams, and family members. He was most proud to win five National USTA grandfather/grandson championship titles, most recently in 2016, on hard and grass courts. Ron and Alice were also USTA National Clay Court Championship finalists in 2011.
His love of tennis was second only to his love of people. He was kind to all he met and in thirty minutes he would make a lifelong friend. Many people benefited from his friendship and encouragement. Ron had a big heart and will be missed by all those whose lives he touched.
Ron is survived by his wife of 63 years, Alice Forester Keiger; son R. Darr Keiger, Jr., and wife Elizabeth, of Miami, FL; daughter Beth Helpingstine of Chapel Hill, NC; and two grandchildren, Chase and Tori Helpingstine; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A service followed by a celebration of life will be held on October 24th at 1:30pm at The Holy Cross Episcopal Church of Myrtle Grove, Wilmington, NC. Live streaming will be available for those unable to travel. Go to the church website, scroll down to the video for the service, and click on the play button.
Website is https://www.HCEW.org
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your charity of choice. The family also sincerely requests that random acts of kindness be spread to others as Ron would want and love everyone to pay it forward.
Aquamation Services are provided by Tranquility Cremation by Aquamation.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ronald Keiger, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Starts at 1:30 pm (Eastern time)
The Holy Cross Episcopal Church of Myrtle Grove
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