Keith Alan Tisher

Keith Alan Tisher passed away on October 4, 2024, at the age of 68, one week after suffering a heart attack. Keith was born in Ravenna, Ohio on July 23, 1956, to Russell Ray Tisher and Gloria Jean Stibbe Tisher. 

He is survived by his niece, Lindsay Spiker and nephew, Troy Spiker. His parents and sister, Kathy “Tish” (Gary) Spiker of Rootstown, preceded him in death. 

Keith was a kind person who served others, he chose to be a donor, his kidneys and liver were given to help at least 3 people.

Keith grew up in Ravenna, Ohio and had great memories of time spent with his grandpa, Sylvester Tisher on the Tisher family farm which became home of the Robinson Memorial Hospital (now University Hospital). Keith loved his time outdoors and spent countless hours rock climbing, biking and hiking. He also enjoyed square dancing, tennis, sailing, and could sing, play the saxophone and any size or style of harmonica.

After graduating from high school, he attached a small trailer to his bike and set out on the 2,600-mile journey to California. He would ride his bike all day and sleep at night at KOA campgrounds or ask a local resident if he could set up his tent in their yard. On his way back to Ohio from California, he stopped in Ogden, Utah, fell in love with the place, and decided to stay. He lived in Ogden for the rest of his life.

He competed in many long-distance bike races including the LoToJa, a grueling, scenic race from Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, considered the nation’s premier amateur cycling race with an elevation gain of 9800 feet. During his cycling years he promoted the sport and also sat on the committee that organized the first Tour of Utah bike race.

Keith studied accounting at Weber State University. In his career he worked as an accountant, a rural surveyor for Shell Oil, and as a musher. As a musher he provided sled dog rides in the mountains of Northern Utah. Eventually he started his own business as a sewist. He loved to sew and made a variety of products including banners, tents, and tee pees. 

He was also innovative. He made and promoted drawstring bags before they were popular and created a hands-free umbrella which he demonstrated and sold at the Farmers Market in Ogden each year. One of his proudest projects was being chosen to sew custom harnesses for all EMS personnel for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah which he did with great skill. Paige Wiren wrote an article about Keith for Utah Stories titled “The Sewist”. It was published on July 21, 2016. Here is a link to the article: https://utahstories.com/2016/07/the-sewist/

Keith was married in his twenties for eight years then divorced. At age 66 he married again to Dale Suzanne “Suzy” Marcum.

Keith had a spiritual awakening and became a follower of Jesus Christ in his early 60s. Pastor Steve Tharp baptized him into the First Baptist Church of Ogden. Keith had great appreciation and admiration for Pastor Steve, who also performed his wedding ceremony to Suzy. Suzy said that Keith’s daily routine included reading the scriptures and expressing his gratitude in prayer for his Redeemer and for the little yellow house they lived in.

Keith’s body was cremated. A memorial service will be held at the Ogden Cemetery on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 3 p.m. All are welcome to attend.