Erwin James Keup

(August 8, 1930 – October 16, 2011)

On October 16, Erwin (“Erv”) Keup, 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Costa Mesa after a brief battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Mary, his eight children, Chris, Ellen, Craig, Kenny, Maricay, Karen, Elaine and Peter and his seventeen grandchildren.

Erv graduated from Marquette University with a B.S. degree in business administration and received his law degree from Marquette Law School after serving in the United States Army. He held corporate law department positions with Miller Brewing Company, Glidden Paint Company, and Snelling and Snelling and then established a private law practice in Newport Beach. He specialized in franchise law and authored a book on the subject, the Franchise Bible.

He was a talented and conscientious attorney and a caring family man, who assiduously guided and assisted his children and grandchildren no matter what obstacles or resistance he faced. He lived his life with great passion, knowing what mattered most, and offered his insight to all who were willing to open their ears, hearts and minds. A burial mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Costa Mesa on Saturday, October 22, at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic School, 1021 Baker Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.