- Date Of Birth: April 21, 1950
- Date Of Death: February 3, 2021
- State: Georgia
Keith Douglas Kurchev returned to the Lord on Feb 3rd, 2021, aged 70 years, after more than a yearlong battle with cancer. Born April 21st, 1950, Keith grew up in Barberton, OH and attended Coventry High School. He served his country with honor in Vietnam from 1969 to 1973; in-country on a STABRON boat (RD-10), as a Gunner’s Mate aboard the U.S.S. Parsons (DDG33). He was honorably discharged at rank GM5 to civilian life in 1973, picking up on his career with Ohio Edison.
In 1974 he married the love of his life and surviving spouse, Sandra Irene (Montoni) Kurchev, whom he has been married to for 46 years. They settled and raised their family in Suffield, OH.
After retirement, Keith and Sandi set forth for warmer climates and have been living happily in Statesboro, GA since 2012. He spent much of his retirement reconnecting with STABRON crewmates and founding and running Vet-2-Vet of Statesboro, a peer counseling program for all U.S. Armed Forces veterans.
Keith is preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Ann Kurchev; and father-in-law Joseph Montoni.
He is further survived by his mother-in-law, Mary Montoni; son, Aaron Kurchev; daughter, Stephanie (Larry) Linkous; daughter, Kimberly (James) Curtin; sister, Judy (Patrick) McNeill; loyal companion, Buzz; many nieces and nephews; and proud Papa to 8 grandchildren: Kaylee, Tyler, Cameron, Grady, Abigail, Peter, Mia and Jimmy.
