Brian Keith Robinson

Brian Keith Robinson of Wellington, Colorado, passed away on Sunday, July 28th, 2024, at the age of 60.

He loved abundantly, and was loved abundantly. This is just a glimpse.

Brian, or as his family called him, Keith, was born on May 3rd,1964 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to William (Milt) Robinson and Patsy Ann Robinson, RN. Milt was employed by the US Forest Service and in the years following Brian's birth, the family moved several times. First to Shreveport, Louisiana, then Raleigh, North Carolina, Jackson, Mississippi, and Lakewood, Colorado.

As a child, Keith loved to explore the nearby woods, and his insatiable curiosity often led to incidents that his family loved to tease him about. Some of these resulted in visits to the hospital to have his stomach pumped, sprains, cuts, and allergic reactions treated.

He often found animals to bring home, and carried this passion for strange or exotic animals on to adult life. Once, he brought a large snapping turtle, and with his mischievous humor, decided to name the turtle a word we can't repeat, but was persuaded to settle on "Snot". He caught many American Chameleons and carried them in his pockets, surprising his Mom when she did the laundry.

Fishing was another lifelong passion, and he spent many days with his Dad and brothers in Rocky Mountain rivers, lakes, and even Alaska. The last few years, he looked forward to visiting his buddy, John Fritts, on his annual trip back to Kansas, where they would spend time swapping stories, growing as brothers in their Faith, and going to their favorite fishing spot together.

The family moved to Lakewood, Colorado in 1971. There he showed strong musical talent. He enjoyed piano lessons, but frustrated and impressed his teachers with his ability to play any song just by hearing it a few times. He was having too much fun playing to stop and learn to read music. He would trick his teachers into "playing it one more time to show him." Even years later he found it easier to continue with his created way of marking songs. Playing mostly by ear. In high school and at Metropolitan State University, he was active in playing guitar, bass, electronic organ, and viola.

He also sang in church and school choirs and performed in musicals and holiday programs. At Green Mountain High School he made many lifelong friends. Their activities together included football, traveling, filming short videos, playing music in a rock band, and choir class - Vocal Minority. He loved being outdoors, especially in the Estes Park, Colorado area where they would hike and launch large styrofoam airplanes.

In his early adulthood, he served in the Armed Forces at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Following his service, he was honorably discharged and moved back to Colorado, where he began work in a pizza parlor in Lakewood. After some time, he and some friends moved to Wichita, Kansas, to start their own pizza business; Z-Pizza. This was a most fortuitous move because it was there that he met the love of his life, Wendy Davis. How he hoodwinked Wendy into thinking he was a charming, young gentleman and decorous individual is a mystery still unsolved. On April 8, 1989, they were married, making this year's anniversary their 35th. They have two sons, Brendon Kyle Robinson born in Denver, Colorado on October 20th, 1994, and Braden Kendrew Robinson born on Wendy's 29th birthday in Wichita, Kansas on September 2nd, 1996.

Keith's interests changed and he began the Physician's Assistant program at Wichita State University. It was there that a life-changing event occurred. He stayed late after one of his elective classes on May 3rd, 1999, his 35th birthday. He stayed late even knowing Wendy and their two sons (2 and 4 years old at the time) were waiting to celebrate. He stayed because he was dissatisfied with the B+ he had received on a paper. Sitting in his car to leave, he saw his professor exiting the building. He decided to get out and stopped him in the parking lot. Before discussing his paper, they talked briefly about how W.S.U. classes had been dismissed due to a tornado warning. They could hear the sirens wailing and commented on the changing sky. They spoke for only a few moments because the professor agreed to discuss more after the next class, and they both wanted to hurry home. Keith began his drive home, noticing that the closer he got to home, the more destruction there was. Large trees were down, roads were closed or blocked, and because of this, it took him twice as long to get home. When he was only a couple blocks from home, he came to an intersection where an electrical transformer station once stood. Multiple electrical power lines were ripped out by the tornado and were draped across the hood of a police car; the officer inside frozen in disbelief as help was arriving. When he finally got home, he found his family safe and sound in their basement, completely unharmed.

The class he had written the paper for was an elective focused on the last book in the bible, Revelation; otherwise known as the book of the Apocalypse. This is why Keith and his professor had remarked on the state of the sky, comparing it to the stormy skies mentioned in the Bible. The F4 tornado caused six deaths, 150 injuries and heavy property damage for miles. Because the car in the intersection was a police car, there was a report filed with specific details. In addition, a picture was published in the local paper the next morning. Between these two sources, along with Keith's own recollection, it was easily determined that he would have been there. Keith frequently reflected on the fact that, had he not stayed late after class that day, he would have been in that same intersection at the exact moment when the tornado tore through.

Soon after, he made the life-changing declaration that he was a "Man of God" and wanted to pursue Ministry full-time. He changed direction from Physician's Assistant to Christian Ministry and transferred to Tabor College, from which he graduated in 2007.

In the years following graduation and ordination as a Christian Minister, Keith worked in churches throughout Kansas, Colorado, and Ohio. Where he used his multitude of God given talents as a Children's Minister and Music Director. He was a natural as a Children's Minister, with his childlike sense of wonder, curiosity and adventure, combined with a goofy sense of humor, and musical talent.

Keith can even be found on IMDb. In 2005, while in Wichita, Kansas he was hired as an "extra," for the movie, Touched by Fire: Bleeding Kansas. This job as an "extra" quickly transitioned into a small speaking role of "Election Official. "

Keith and Wendy, now with two teenage boys, came back to Colorado and settled in the Fort Collins area. There, he worked as a Surgical Technician at the UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colorado for approximately 2 years. He then transferred to a different campus, UCHealth Harmony Surgery Center in Fort Collins. Once again forming several strong friendships. He worked there until February 5th, 2021, all the time continuing his ministerial work with churches in the region.

Most recently, he had found a home at Timberline Church, serving on the Worship Band frequently and bonding with his Church family there.

In the summer of 2010, Keith was riding his bicycle almost daily for 10 miles, and on weekends, 20-25 miles. He was in good health and had lost about 35 pounds. In 2011, he did a strenuous ride of 12 miles. The following day he was stiff and sore, and having trouble breathing, but thought that he had just overdone it. He took some over-the-counter medicines to alleviate the pain, but things got worse—much worse. He was being seen and treated by several physicians and specialists and was hospitalized many times, but they seemed baffled by the symptoms. Different medicines, treatments, infusions, and even chemotherapy helped for a while, but nothing seemed to last, and over the months, he weakened. After about a year, a diagnosis of Anti-Synthetase Syndrome, an extremely rare autoimmune disease of unknown cause, was reached. It includes inflammation of muscles, interstitial lung disease, arthritis and other symptoms. There is no cure, and the disease is insidious and relentless in its attack on the body.

Keith faced this condition with optimism, strength and Faith for over 13 years, and continued to work as much as he could. In February 2021, he was diagnosed with COVID-19. He was already very weak from the autoimmune disease, and COVID just made it worse. so bad, in fact, that he was placed on a ventilator for 19 days. He was released from the hospital after months of additional rehabilitation and therapy in April of 2021. He was unable to return to work at the age of 56.

As part of his therapy, he began writing his memoirs. Detailed stories of what he recalled from his ICU ventilator days. A few months ago, he joined Timberline Church's writing class. Sharing a dream sequence each week. The class said "we instantly became intrigued with his stories." The Writers Club said "his memory was amazing" and "very few edits were suggested."

A few weeks before he passed he completed the writings. He was excited about the next steps towards publishing.

Even after being on the ventilator, he served on his community H.O.A as Treasurer, and was promoted to President. Yes, making a few more dear friends who he enjoyed sharing their faith and family stories together.

Keith enjoyed cheering on the Denver Broncos throughout his lifetime. Being a loyal fan regardless of their performance. He remained true to the team even while living in Chiefs and Steelers country.

Keith loved his front porch time, especially container gardening. Which led to making salsa which he gifted to many. He continued his love for cooking, attending church and carrying on with ministerial and musical responsibilities, visiting with friends and family, pursuing a hobby of sewing costumes with his sons, and other handmade products to local craft shows, playing with the family dog, and a myriad of other fun activities.

On Saturday, July 27th, 2024, Keith was taken to the hospital by ambulance with extreme abdominal pain, low blood pressure, and low body temperature. When he arrived, they did a bunch of tests and found that he had a hematoma in his abdominal tissue. Wendy and his sister, Kelly, were with him. The hospital Chaplain prayed over him, and the doctors and nurses went above and beyond, doing everything possible to save him. He had multiple systems failing all at once, and his body couldn't keep up. On Sunday, July 28th, 2024, just before 1 a.m., less than 14 hours after arriving at the hospital, he went home to be with Jesus.

Keith was never shy, and he relished his role as an entertainer no matter where he was or what the occasion. He would dress as a clown and do magic tricks, wear full Renaissance bishop raiment complete with a two-foot-tall miter hat, or be an Old West preacher in a black frock coat, string tie, and Stetson while officiating weddings. Even while hospitalized, he joked with and teased the doctors, nurses and therapists.

So, we have fond and colorful memories. We are sure that what would make him happiest is for each of you to go and have a cup of coffee with a friend and recall his antics, or play a harmless prank on some unsuspecting sap.

Brian Keith is survived by his wife, Wendy, his sons, Brendon and Braden, his brothers, Clay and Scott, his sister, Kelly, his father, Milt, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother, Pat and sister, Victoria (Tori) Sovie

A Celebration of Life is planned for Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 2:00pm at Timberline Church, 2908 S. Timberline Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80525.