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Dr. B. Keith Chambers

December 9, 1932 – September 18, 2018

Keith was the tenth of twelve children born to Eva and Clyde Chambers on Dec. 9, 1932. He spent his younger years on a farm in Pomona, in eastern Kansas, learning not only farming but also carpentry, from his father.

During the 1950s Korean conflict he served two years in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany as a radio communications specialist. Upon his return from the war he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Colorado, his master’s degree in education from Oklahoma State and his doctorate in educational administration from the University of Colorado.

Over a career that spanned 40-plus years, he was an educator to many people of various ages and backgrounds, ranging from Sunday school students and high school students in Colorado, to doctorate students at Montana State University. He also served as the principal at Fairview High School and deputy superintendent of schools in Boulder, Colo., and superintendent of schools in Bozeman, Mont.

Thoughtful, kind, generous and patient, Keith was a man of character — a highly respected member of the community who always focused on giving back and gladly helped anyone regardless of their background. He was a “cup half full” kind of man and always did his best to look at things with a positive outlook. Perhaps it was because he possessed an innate sense of humor and always thought the funnies the most important part of the paper, or because he had developed perseverance over time by doing the crossword in the newspaper each day. He simply loved people and was the helping hand to many. He celebrated and enjoyed life by hosting family and friend gatherings and spending time outdoors fishing, hiking, golfing, hunting and skiing.

A teacher at heart, Keith was also an incredibly talented designer in the realm of woodworking, creating many unique pieces of furniture for his home and family, each piece being a tribute and legacy to his incredible talent and memory. His design skills extended into the garden wherever he lived, and concluded with his final oasis at his home in Hayden, Idaho, with a garden built on the slope of a hill encompassing blackberry, blueberry and raspberry patches, vegetable beds, a pond, waterfall and a perennial landscape that created plenty of critter habitat and scope for the imagination. He often relaxed on the deck and watched the sun go down with Cy and his dogs by his side. A peaceful retreat created with love for the environment and a welcoming space for friends and family.

Keith is survived by his wife, Cydell and their two beloved beagles, Clancy and Clara; his son, Dr. David Chambers and his wife, Bev, their children, Stacy, Kyle and Kris, and their grandchildren, Taylor, Ben, Ceci and Addie; his daughter, Sarah Chisholm and her husband, Drew and their children, Anna and Levi; and his stepdaughter, MaryBeth Austin and her husband, Warren.

A memorial service for Keith will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, at Yates Funeral Homes - Coeur d’Alene Chapel, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815, or to the Kootenai Humane Society of Idaho.

Please visit Keith’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.