April 25, 2021
Suddenly, and unexpectedly, on April 25, 2021. David grew up on Canadian Air Force bases on the prairies and one 3-year posting to England. He enjoyed life as a prairie boy, playing ice hockey and earning his Bronze Star and Lifeguard certificates for swimming.
After finishing his education, he married and moved to Vancouver Island to work for various B.C. Forest Industry companies, up and down Island, in accounting and what was then called Industrial Relations. Island life enabled almost endless boating and fishing expeditions, helping coach youth soccer, and supporting youth swim club.
The following summary was written for the notice to employees by his friend Janet Millar.
Millar Western's great friend and former colleague David Keir passed away on April 25, 2021. Dave was hired by Millar Western Forest Products, of Alberta, as Manager of Employee Relations in its Whitecourt operations.
In 1989, he was named Director of Employee Relations for all company operations and moved to the Edmonton head office. In 1994, he was appointed Vice-President of Human Resources, a position he held until his retirement. Throughout his career with our company, Dave made it his mission to develop and sustain a safe, positive, respectful, and rewarding work environment for all employees.
As well as helping to shape and guide the progress of Millar Western, Dave's knowledge and insight benefited our industry as a whole, in his service as Chairman of the AFPA Health & Safety Committee, on the Forest Industry training Council and the Pulp and Paper Human Resources Executive, and as a founding member of the Forest Industry Compensation Committee.
Dave's vision, acumen, good humour, and kindness will long be remembered by the many current employees whose lives he touched. And all of us at Millar Western will continue to benefit from the company culture and values he helped to shape.
He retired back to Mill Bay to help care for his mother. Many happy times were spent visiting our Albertans and Australians and other times with friends and relatives. One of the special joys of his retirement was the freedom to do absolutely nothing if he wished! He served on the Parks Board, Area A, CVRD and was just elected to the Mill Bay Waterworks Board.
David has left behind his wife, Gillian, of Mill Bay; his children: Megan (Andrew) Stavropoulos and grandchildren Adriana and Dimitrios of Sydney, Australia; Ian (Lisa) Keir and grandchildren Henry and Charlie of Calgary, AB.
His brother: Kevin (Barbara) Keir of Wilmington, Delaware. His brothers- in-law: Cameron (Claudia) Humphreys of Maurelle Island; Nicholas (Patricia) Humphreys of Victoria; his sister-in-law Jennifer (Robert) Price of Port Alberni. His 12 nieces and nephews across B.C. and in Delaware.
He was predeceased by his parents, Ralph 2011 & Norah 2021, and his sister, Joan 2008.
David was born in the Duncan hospital and his first home was on Keir Road, Mill Bay. David died in the Duncan hospital and his last home was on Keir Road, Mill Bay.
The family would appreciate any notes / letters remembering Dave - and anecdotes -. They should be sent to dgkeir@ shaw.ca or 2595 Keir Road, Mill Bay, BC, V0R 2P1.