Death Notices Robert Keith Klaas died unexpectedly June 12, 2015.
Keith was born Jan. 3, 1940, in South Dakota, to Robert and Luella Klaas. His family moved to Vancouver so Robert could help his country during World War II. Robert was an electrician in the shipyards and wired the housing for the workers relocated during WWII.
Keith graduated from Camas High School in 1958 and then from Clark College. After serving six years in the Oregon Air National Guard, he completed a six-year apprenticeship to become a journeyman electrician. He worked in the Camas paper mill during his entire career and upon his retirement was an electrical supervisor.
For about 40 years, Keith served on the board of directors and various other committees for Lacamas Community Credit Union. He was a longtime Portland Trail Blazers fan and a season ticket holder for years.
Upon retirement, he and his wife, Lucy traveled in their RVs across the country, going as far as Key West, Florida. They enjoyed spending the winter months in Arizona and California. Keith had many interests including boating, camping, maintaining and restoring cars, gardening and spending time at the beach in the summer. Keith was a devoted family man. He loved his family and never hesitated to welcome others into his “family.”
He is survived by his wife, Lucy Klaas; son and his wife, Kirk and Stephanie Klaas; daughter and her husband, Corina “Cory” and Morris Torseth; his brother and his wife, Kenneth and Beth Klaas; and four grandchildren.
