Keith Stefanczyk

May 27, 1960- October 22, 2022

Keith Robert Stefanczyk, 62, died peacefully at home in Gresham, OR after a long illness. Keith was a most memorable character. Known for his rapier wit, insatiable curiosity and the twinkle in his eye, his loss is felt deeply by those lucky enough to know him.

Keith was born in Chicago, IL, later growing up in the suburb of Des Plains. Keith excelled in art and photography, which served him well at the school newspaper for DePaul University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Studio Art, and thereafter, at the Janesville Gazette newspaper in Wisconsin. His reporting broke national news at both institutions.

Keith was a highly skilled practitioner of Tae Kwon Do for over two decades, earning a third degree black belt. He taught the sport in addition to his duties as an administrator at South Suburban College. His passion for the discipline moved him across the country to Chandler, AZ, where he taught Tae Kwon Do, self-defense, and trained A- list athletes. Keith remained in Arizona for the next twenty nine years and founded his marketing and branding business, Blue Wolf Strategies. The business represented several local civic organizations and businesses across Arizona, and the globe. His award winning campaigns landed Blue Wolf in the Arizona Business Journal Book of Lists for several years.

Keith is survived by his wife, Monica LaBrie; mother, Elaine Kinnerk; sisters Cheryl Haviland and Karen Stefanczyk; and beloved cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews of the Stefanczyk, Stechnij, LaBrie and Exline families; and more friends than those at which a stick could be shaken.

Keith loved books, science, fishing, hiking, dinosaurs, traveling, reptiles, horror movies, art, and music of all genres (especially when played at maximum volume), technology, wolves, and even poodles. His friends were never left wanting after sharing stories over a drink, a meal he cooked himself, or especially pizza.

We will never see his like again.