Keith passed away peacefully in La Jolla, CA after a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma, at the age of 71 on January 21st, 2015 with his family by his side. Keith was born June 20th in Dover, England to William Thomas and Olive Stock Rayner. His family emigrated to the United States in 1949 and settled in Salt Lake City, Utah. He served an LDS mission to England from 1962-1964. Married Susan Rae Knight, December 16, 1966 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He attended the University of Utah and earned his Doctorate from Cornell University. Keith and his family lived in Massachusetts for 35 years before moving to San Diego. He was a professor at the University of Rochester, University of Massachusetts Amherst and the UC San Diego Atkinson Family Distinguished Professor at the time of his death. He excelled in the field of Experimental Psychology specializing in furthering what we know about reading, eye movement and cognition and receiving numerous honors and awards. He was an avid sports fan and particularly fond of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics and the New England Patriots. He coached numerous Amherst youth baseball teams his son participated in. He was an active member of the LDS church and served in various capacities throughout his life.
In addition to his loving wife he is survived by his children, Ashley (Jason) Fairgrieve and Jonathan (Becky) his two beautiful granddaughters Isabel and Samantha, his mother Olive, siblings Pete (Kathy), Sue (Brent) Petersen and Julie Tolman. Preceded in death by his father (Bill), sister (Nancy), in-laws (Clifford and Rae Knight), brother in-law (Dave) and nephew (Hunter).
Funeral services and intermentwill be held Saturday January 31st, 11:00 am at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.), in Sandy, UT. Viewing hours will be Friday January 30th 6:00-8:00 pm and 10:00-10:45 am Saturday morning. The family would like to thank all the Doctors and staff who helped with his care. In lieu of flowers contributions in his name may be sent for the Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research Fund, in care of the University of California San Diego Foundation, 9500 Gilman Drive #9040, La Jolla, CA 92093-0940. Online condolences can be made at www.larkincares.com
In addition,memorial services will be held Saturday February 14th, 11:00am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3348
Sweetwater Springs Blvd. Spring Valley, CA 91978.
