AUGUSTA, MAINE
Keith R. Varner - age 70, of Pinehurst Street, died September 16, 2018 at Heritage Rehabilitation and Living Center, Winthrop, ME after a brave battle with Parkinson's Disease.
He was born in Superior, Wisconsin on August 19, 1948 the son of Robert V. Varner and Margaret (McDonald) Varner.
Keith received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Juris Doctor degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
After practicing law in Milwaukee for nine years, Keith moved to Maine in 1988 and joined the firm of Lipman and Katz, P.A., where he remained until his retirement in 2012. Keith did the "nuts and bolts" of legal work, such as drafting wills and real estate title searches. But Keith also engaged in complicated litigation, including outstanding work on behalf of individuals who had suffered sexual abuse at the hands of clergy.
He loved to cycle. He did many cycling tours in Wisconsin and Maine, including tours for Trek Across Maine. He went to many concerts with his friends.
He loved the Green Bay Packers, and was proud of the fact that he owned one share of the franchise. He loved the Milwaukee Brewers, and was so happy to attend a game at Miller Park a few years ago.
With his phenomenal intelligence, he loved the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, and was so happy to have gone to visit "Fallingwater" and "Kentuck Knob" a couple years ago.
He loved all the "Band Gang" gatherings and trips that they did together, especially their gatherings for New Year's or the Irish festival in Milwaukee.
Anytime he traveled he knew where the books stores were, not just in Wisconsin or Maine, but also in Canada! His most favorite book stores in Maine were Bull Moose and Sherman's. He had close contacts with the managers of many of the small stores in Maine.
Keith was a longtime member of the Board of Trustees of Lithgow Public Library. He was instrumental in the successful effort to expand and modernize Lithgow Library while retaining its beauty. Keith also was a longtime member of the Board of Directors of Pine Tree Legal Assistance and served as Board Treasurer from 1997 to 2012. Upon his departure from the Pine Tree Legal Board, Keith received the Janet Milley Award for exceptional service to the cause of access to justice.
Keith was a man of many skills and interests. He enjoyed travel and he loved a wide variety of music, literature and film.
Keith was predeceased by his parents and his brother Bruce. He is survived by his nephew, Christopher Varner of Chicago, Illinois and by many friends, both in Maine and in the Midwest. Keith was particularly appreciative of the affection and care provided to him by Jane Pelletier of Winthrop during the past few years.
We would like to thank wonderful, supportive, caring staff at Heritage Manor for all the care they gave Keith while he was there. We would also like to thank Beacon Hospice for the supportive care that they gave Keith these last few difficult weeks.
Friends may visit from 5:30 PM until 7:00 PM Monday Sept. 24, 2018 at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME where a time of sharing and reminiscing will take place at 6:00 PM. Burial of his urn will be in Calvary Cemetery, Superior, WI at a later date. Memorial donations to Friends of Lithgow Library, P O Box 2456, Augusta, ME 04338 are preferred.