By Saul Gamoran, Special to JTNews
If you combine the brightest person you’ve ever known with the funniest, add a heavy dose of business acumen, a booming voice, and a big heart, you must be thinking of Keith Grinstein. For those of us who loved him, these past several weeks since his passing have been filled with sorrow, tempered by joy and humor when we recall his life. Keith lived only 48 years, but he spent each one as though it might be his last.
For most of his life, Keith’s daily schedule could only be described as frenetic. He worked hard and made a fortune in the wireless industry. He pioneered the use of cell phones in aeronautics. His social schedule was the stuff of legend. Keith liked to be included; he often attended two or three events in the same evening. He gave new meaning to the phrase, “running late.” We used to tease him about this, but he didn’t care; he loved being with his friends. He was also very generous. Keith not only supported causes he believed in; he always contributed unsparingly to his friends’ charities, too.
Keith cared deeply about his community. While at law school at Georgetown, Keith worked for Senator Henry Jackson. Ever since, Keith was sought-after by candidates seeking public office. He was a prolific fundraiser, and was especially valued for his strategic counsel in both local and national races. Keith was not a knee jerk anything. In recent years, he supported Democratic candidates, but his mind was open. Keith loved a political debate. He would have hated to miss the finish of this election.
Keith also loved being Jewish. When our oldest daughter became a Bat Mitzvah, we asked Keith to chant the torah blessings at the service. He immediately accepted, despite the fact that he did not know the blessings, let alone Hebrew. He refused to simply read the blessings in transliteration. He arranged for a tutor (my mother) and learned the tune and Hebrew words by heart. At the service, he made sure to sing the blessings especially loud (and without looking at the prayer book). He was so proud! Of course, we teased him endlessly about that, too. Again, Keith didn’t care.
Keith had tremendous integrity. As successful as he was in the rough and tumble of the business world, Keith’s word was his bond. He never cut corners. He never took short cuts. He never waded into the gray area. As a result, many companies sought Keith to serve on their boards of directors. Earlier this year, he was honored by the National Association of Corporate Directors as Public Company Director of the Year.
Until a few years ago, Keith was missing the one thing in life he wanted most: true love. When he met Claire Angel, he knew that his search was over. They married, and the years he spent with Claire were the happiest of his life. In Claire, Keith found a true equal.
It is hard to believe that this brilliant, jocular, generous and honest man is no longer with us. His infectious laugh still rings in my head. We are all the better for having lived in this community during the time of Keith Grinstein.