4 K's- Keith, Karen, Kevin, Kristi…. Two sets of children were born to Ralph and Helen Enge: Keith and Karen 2 years apart in age then a 7 year gap before Kevin and Kristi were born 2 years apart. That was just the way it was! Now we have lost our oldest "K". We were a family of 6 and now we are a family of 3.
Keith Ralph Enge Sept 18, 1949 - Feb 5, 2013
I really only remember him as an adult due to the 11 year difference in age. I was 7 when he went away to college. I do remember being very excited when he came home and not wanting to leave him at college. He was basically a genius whose favorite word was "basically"! He lived at home on and off during my growing up years. He was the best tutor for geometry and physics homework. He was a gentle soul who loved to read, work on his war games, program on his computer and ride his bike. Perhaps I couldn't relate to him as far as life goals but he meant no harm. What I found important in life didn't always agree with his list. After Keith died, my sister said, "He was content with his life. It is only when we apply our standards to his life that he comes up short." So true.
Keith suffered a massive ischemic stroke on Friday Feb 1st. It left him with damage to 60% of the right side of his brain. He could speak but not swallow. His left side was paralyzed and didn't exist for him. The right brain is your cognitive and reasoning side and so much more. My other brother Kevin found him and called 911. He was told that the likelihood of Keith surviving this stroke was slim and if he did he would never be independent. A long term care setting would be his next and final stop. He made it through the initial critical hours and days. Kevin was able to chat with him and Keith was able to make his wishes known. Monday Feb 4th Keith left the Intensive Care Unit because he was stable. On Tuesday Kevin received a call that Keith was completely unresponsive. A CT scan showed massive brain edema. Within a few hours Keith was gone. It just doesn't seem possible that we have lost our brother 8 months after losing our mother.
The three of us decided that Keith would be cremated. We plan to have a private memorial with immediate family only at a later date. This may not be the "norm" but it felt right to us. Nothing showy-just family sitting around the table sharing memories and love. Farewell my big brother…..
