Keith Edward Boyer

Keith Edward Boyer A long time resident of Castro Valley Died on June 29, 2009, with his family by his side, after a truly heroic 8-year battle with cancer. He was born in Hamilton, Missouri on March 30, 1937. His family moved to Oakland in 1948, and then to San Leandro, where he attended public schools, graduating from San Leandro High School in 1955. He was awarded a Lifetime Teaching Certificate from the University of California. He was a graduate of the FBI National Academy and completed other studies at Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal-Poly Pomona and the University of Virginia. Boyer taught many courses at the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Academy, under the auspices of Chabot College. In 1962 Keith became a member of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. He spent the next 29 years in that service, rising through the ranks from Deputy Sheriff to Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and retiring as Division Commander. His career with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office afforded him the honor of serving under 5 Sheriffs of the County (Jack Gleason, Frank Madigan, Tom Houchins, Glenn Dyer and Charles Plummer). Boyer's primary assignments were in Patrol and Investigative Services where he participated in many and diverse investigations, including the Chowchilla kidnapping, the arrest and conviction of a City Councilman for receiving stolen property, the Edmund Kemper serial murders and other homicides. At various times he was the Chief Deputy Coroner, Commander of County-wide Services, Commander of the Criminal Division, Captain of Patrol and Investigations, Captain of Glenn Dyer Jail, Captain of Santa Rita Jail, Lieutenant of Investigations and Commanding Officer of the SWAT Team, Bomb Squad, Internal Affairs, Crime Prevention and other assignments. He retired in 1991. Keith was a member of The Boy Scouts of America (including membership in its honor society, The Order of the Arrow), Past Master of Lakeshore Masonic Lodge #551 (now Castro Valley Lodge) and President of the Aahmes Shrine Peace Officers' Club. He was recognized as Citizen of the Year in Castro Valley in 1989 by the Castro Valley Toastmasters Club. He also received recognition for his services to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office on 2 occasions by the California State Assembly, and as Outstanding Citizen by the U.S. House of Representatives. He was a member of the Bay Counties Peace Officers' Association, E Clampus Vitus and ACGOB (Alameda County Good Old Boys). He served on the Alameda County Grand Jury for four terms, three of which were as Foreman, and was a member of the HARD Foundation. He served on the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels in Hayward as well as preparing and delivering meals for that organization. He was a member of the Alameda County 100 Club, and was serving his 2nd term as a Director on the Alameda County Fair Board at the time of his death. Keith adored his family and is survived by his wife of 16 years, Donna Boyer, 2 children: Mike Boyer (wife, Donna) of Castro Valley; Shari Boyer (partner, Charlie Margiotta) of Pleasanton and 2 step-children: Traci Carter (partner, Kelly Miles) of Brentwood and Justin Buckhanan of Tracy. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, upon whom he has lavished much love and attention: Adam and Samantha Zentner; Grant Boyer; Derrick and Anthony Buckhanan; Jacob Carter; Savannah, Samantha and Joshua Miles and Victoria Gebelein. He is also survived by his brother, Joseph Boyer (wife, Gay); sister, Sharon Martinez; sister, Loretta McCormack (husband, Jason); and brother, Stephen Michael Boyer, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2009, 11:00 a.m., at the Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services, 4985 Broder Boulevard, Dublin (one block from Santa Rita Jail), with reception to follow at La Bella Italia Restaurant, 15015 East 14th Street, San Leandro. Keith requested that donations be made to either Meals on Wheels, 1435 Grove Way, Hayward, CA 94546, or the American Cancer Society, 1710 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612.