Henry KeithKempSurgeon Captain(D) RD.RNR. BA (HONS) BDS, FDS, RCS.
Passed away peacefully at home on 22nd August 2026, aged 92 years.
Beloved husband, father and grandfather, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Funeral service at St Andrew's Church, Mells, Somerset BA11 3PW on
Monday 28th September at 2.00 pm.
Family flowers only, please. Donations in his memory, if desired, for CHASE Africa may be sent to:
Wayne Kelly Independent Funeral Directors,
R20 Marshall Way, Commerce Park,
Frome BA11 2FE (01373 476277).
Keith, as he was usually known by his second name, was born in Frome, Somerset, to parents from the Scottish Borders in December 1933. During his school days in Bruton, he was a keen Boy Scout and achieved the honour of King's Scout.
He trained in dentistry at Guy's Hospital, London, after which he served a three-year short service commission in the Royal Navy. His best year was spent on the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious, from where he saw a great deal of the world, including the Far East.
He joined a dental practice in Chelsea, where he remained for the rest of his working life, eventually becoming the Senior Partner.
He and Anthea were married in 1967. They settled in Barons Court and had three sons, from whom, together with their wives, they were eventually blessed with six grandchildren.
After retiring in 1997, he and Anthea settled in the village of Great Elm, near Frome, where they lived for the next 20 years before moving to Packsaddle Way in Frome for the last ten years.
Keith was always learning and decided to redress the balance of a largely scientific education and working life by studying Art History and Classical Civilisation with the Open University. He also took up pottery at Frome College, with some stunning results, although he was always very modest about them.
He also self-published his memoirs and a small book of quirky comic verses. The last verse he was inspired to write was for the Radiotherapy Department at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, about six weeks before he died.
His zest for life, steady wisdom and great sense of humour are celebrated and treasured by his family and friends.
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