HEATHSVILLE—David Keefe, recently of Heathsville, died suddenly on March 20, 2023, in Denver, Colo. He was 37.
Born in 1985 to Ronald Keefe and Deborah Smith, he spent his childhood in Goshen, N.Y., and Basking Ridge, N.J.
Tall and handsome, Dave had a charismatic personality that had a profound impact on people’s lives by bringing them joy and fun. His spirit of adventure was electrifying.
David experienced more in his shortened lifetime than most people would in a full span. His mantra was that vacation should be all of life, not just a two-week yearly event. He was a minimalist who only needed the basics; it was much more important to him to take on a new experience at a moment’s notice.
David completed the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Semester in the Rockies before entering college, and used the skills learned there throughout the rest of his life, including leading his family and friends on many backcountry hikes and other adventures.
An honors graduate of The Colorado College (Colorado Springs), Dave was awarded the University of Regensburg Scholarship for a full year of study in Germany, becoming fluent in German, and traveling the length and breadth of Europe. He also took a semester off to travel for several months throughout India. After graduation, Dave worked as a ski instructor at Winterpark, Colo., and at Perisher, Australia, achieving his PSIA Level II Instructor certification.
An accomplished mariner, Dave’s interest in sailing began at a high school summer program with Broadreach. Later, while working a summer job in St. John, USVI, his interest in sailing reignited. He earned his second level Coastguard Mariner’s license. After mastering the waters of the Virgin Islands as a charter boat captain for several years, Dave sought more experience, and he signed on to sail across the Atlantic Ocean in both eastward and westward directions. He then purchased and refitted his own sailboat and sailed from Los Angeles to the Hawaiian Big Island, where he lived and worked, sailing all the waters of the Hawaiian Islands.
Returning to the East Coast in 2017, David pursued an associate’s in physical therapy, graduating from the ECPI School of Health Sciences (Richmond) at the top of his class. He had a lifelong interest in physical training, working out almost daily, and recently became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
He parlayed his interest in physical fitness into helping others, working as a physical therapy associate. Living on the Chesapeake Bay, he outfitted his own sailboat and continued to sail.
David was a gifted writer and speaker, and loved reading. He was self-educated on many topics and would carry a fascinating conversation on just about any topic.
In addition to his parents, David leaves behind his brother, Joe and his family; his companion of many years, Daina Fawn Cockrell of Heathsville; and many friends whose lives he touched deeply.
There will be a future celebration of Dave’s life in his beloved Hawaii.
