I think of Keith every time I go past his old house.  It's funny how certain things will bring him right back.  Keith was always such a fun and positive person.  I will always appreciate what he added to my life!  I know these milestones must be hard for all of you as you are reminded of your loss.  Thinking of you all.
Lisa Arzate

Keith and I would tee it up every now and then at Community. As a matter of fact he and I played his last round. We always had a great time on the phone, and I would stop by his house on occasion.  I will always miss him


To Keith's children, your father was a good friend to everyone, he lit up a room with his laugh and humor.  We met in 1982 at NCR, because of him I found my first apartment, found some great antiques and enjoyed many common friends.  He and your mom attended my wedding in 1994in San Diego, it was that last time I saw them, but I was lucky enough to catch up with him last year on a phone call to rekindle those fond memories.   I'm sorry for your loss, it must leave an emptiness during the holidays.  But know his smile and love is still with you.  

A life lived and retold describes Keith. I grew up with the Morkel family in a Lexington / Mansfield subdivision, I don’t think it had a name. The Morkels’ were a big part of the neighborhood. Doc Morkel was our family doctor, and his beautiful wife Rachael would have to keep him in line at the office. I remember Sunday show night at the Morkels’ on the first color TV in the neighborhood. Karen would swoon over Maverick. Keith valued and loved his family and was proud of every one of them. His beaming picture with the grandkids were the best times. While we grew up together and lived separate lives for 40 years, we reconnected 10 years ago when I took on a sales territory in Ohio. I would stay at Keith’s and had a great time catching up and hearing stories in detail that I had forgotten. He endured so much in the last few years yet was always upbeat when we talked   although much of the conversation were about the most recent medical calamity. Purdue and OSU played today and I’m going to miss his summation of the catastrophe. I had my Church group praying for Keith’s healing and now for his peace. May Jesus bless and hold Keith, my good friend!

Reading all of the kind notes friends, relatives,  and fraternity bothers have written surely confirms what a wide swath Keith cut through the lives of many.    I had the pleasure to be with Keith for 3 years in the Ep House at Purdue,  and every day and night were kept in constant fun by Keith and his antics.   Sadly after we graduated, we went our separate ways, but I was able to get updates of his battles with health problems from Dale B and Gail.  Sadly Keith lost his battle, but not because he wasn't a fighter.... I like to think that God wanted him up there to stir things up like he did down here.  God speed Keith.   From Brother Wayno in Virginia

Keith was a great guy and fraternity brother.  We shared many memories including a memorable spring break camping trip to Key West.  I got to see Keith only a few times after college, but he was always the same fun loving and kind gentleman.    Although I did not see Keith more recently, he always kept me up to date on the latest Boilermaker sports news.  I will miss Keith, but it was a pleasure to know him.  Condolences to his family.

I'm sad about the news that Keith has passed away, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.  I worked with Keith at Compaq and HP, and we were colleagues on the FSI marketing team from 2005-2007.  His positive view of life was always on display, and he could light up a room with his personality and love of people.  Keith had an incredible network of contacts, and treated his work colleagues and business partners like extended family members.  He could immediately recall  the best places to eat and entertain in so many cities.  A wonderful person, who will be missed by many including me!

Condolences to all of Keith's family.  Even though our respective NCR careers were a distant memory, our paths crossed regularly in our individual lives.  I always marveled at Keith's enthusiastic optimism in the face of the most challenging of health issues.  Obviously the love of family and the return of that same love was the driving force that created a wonderful bond.  May the warm memories provide you all comfort in your loss.


Seeing the post about Purdue/Ohio State reminded me of how Keith would never allow a Purdue victory over OSU to go without sending me a text or email gloating about another win over the "Luckeyes" as he liked to call them, even if OSU won 2 national championships! My wife Kathleen and I were lucky enough to visit  Keith in Dayton and get an in-depth look at his inventory of sports memorabilia and NCR cash registers. The afternoon flew by and we suddenly realized it had been 4 or 5 hours! That was Keith and I will surely miss our repartee'.

It was my honor to meet Keith Morkel through my husband Dale Roberts.  The stories were endless about the glory days at Purdue with Dale and David and Karyn Strong and so many other friends-most of which he kept in touch with through the years.  

I treasured our visits to see Morkel and he would always light up telling stories about his children and grandchildren.  We would end up eating ribs and, of course, Graeter’s raspberry chocolate chip ice cream.  We shared a love of sports and teasing Dale and I became an honorary Boilermaker.  

For years all our group texts before the games started with, “Boiler Up” and after the victory, “Hail Purdue”.
As Dale and I sat in Morkel’s living room (during the Purdue/Oregon game), countless texts and calls came in from so many of his buddies and Ben.  Even while wearing oxygen, he was animated and excited about every play.  We were even discussing getting a larger oxygen tank so he could make it to a game.

Morkel’s love of his family and friends (and the Beatles) was always evident.  He was a source of strength and courage when Dale dealt with a serious illness.  I admired his attitude- always upbeat and positive, despite the numerous health issues going on in his life.  My final thought is that all the illnesses and injuries did not beat Morkel, they died when he did.  Morkel had the final victory, “Hail Purdue” my friend.


Dear Annie, Rachel and Ben ...  my deepest sympathies ... no words seem enough. The news of your Dad passing was news I never wanted to get. We always hoped he would bounce back this time like he had done so many times but God had other plans for him. I have known Keith since college days at Purdue ... he was the consummate Boilermaker. We were fraternity brothers and roomed together our senior year. His personality and love of life was infectious. He was a good friend and even better father and grandfather. I was amazed by this strength and ability to handle adversity better than anyone I know. Mork was such a positive, confident person even when he faced the toughest times ... undoubtedly the best measure of his character. He was a fighter with such a love of life that kept him going when others would have faltered. When I had cancer several years ago and sought his advice. He simply said it is essential to stay positive ...  "no one likes to care for anyone who complains." Cancer is such a despicable disease and he beat this monster twice so I took his advice to heart. He loved his family and especially his grandkids who were his strength ... you all kept him going. He loved the Beatles too and always got by with a "little help from his friends." Sadly, he was in such pain in the last year. Now his hands are still. We take comfort that the burden of these worldly woes is behind him. I am just happy that Gail and I recently spent an evening with him eating barbeque from Oink-a-Doodle-Moo and watching Purdue beat Oregon State. I have a picture of us from that night ... his smile never faded.  His legacy as a good friend, father and grandfather is secure. He truly represents a life so well-lived.

Keith was a die hard Boilermaker.  I fondly remember many a watch party or email reliving memories of our days at Purdue or talking about the teams.  He’s up in heaven now convincing the Lord to bless his Boilermaker teams.

Keith  ( "Moose") and I were pretty good buddies through sports in Jr. High.  Then he literally moved into my front yard.  We hung out often as a result, and have kept loosely in touch over the years.
He will be missed by many.

Keith was fun to have in my water walking  class at the KRC.  His great smile and sense of humor was welcomed by all.  He sure loved his kids and grandchildren- so proud.  
  Sending my sincere condolences to the whole family.  Wishing you peace. 

OBITUARY

Keith Gordon Morkel

11 July, 1950 – 28 October, 2021

Tobias Funeral Home - Far Hills Chapel

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