Kilbourne Keith Rugg

Houghton --- Kilbourne Keith Rugg, age 98, of Houghton, previously from Guatemala City, Guatemala, passed away in his sleep on Friday, November 24 at Houghton Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility. Keith was born May 23, 1925, in Bristol, Vermont.

Keith attended elementary school in Bristol, Vermont, then High School in Cobleskill. He then enlisted in the Marines and fought in the Pacific Front during WWII. After WWII, he attended Syracuse University. Married Carmen Elisa Neutze from Guatemala. After graduating, with a Commercial Art degree, he went to Guatemala and stayed for the next 43 years. In Guatemala Keith worked there in many fields of Transportation.

He returned to the USA in 1995 to work on special projects with friends in West Virginia. He married Joanna Campbell and embraced her children Wendy, Peter and Barbara Campbell as part of the family. He was married to Joanna for 26 years. Keith and Joanna retired and settled in Houghton to be closer to family. Keith was known as an outstanding artist. Exceptionally skilled in portraits, landscapes, and designs. He was also a “Jack-of-all-Trades”, an excellent carpenter, mechanic and able to repair small appliances. He enjoyed teaching and playing a game of chess with family members. Eating food cooked by Joanna specially when using cheddar cheese! Keith loved shopping at AM VETS, planting trees, watching CSI and JAG, and he loved DRIVING!

Before retiring, Dad and Joanna would fill up their station wagon about once every two years to make a trek from Guatemala to the USA and Canada. They would visit children, friends and have sightseeing adventures. He was a very good listener and problem solver. “What a life!”

He is survived by his wonderful wife Joanna Campbell Rugg. He is also survived by his beloved sister Sarah Gene Phillips of Houghton. His children Stephen (Susan) Perrine of Maine, Katherine (Daniel) Moore of Houghton, Eric (Carmen) Rugg of Virginia, Kassandra (the late Augusto) Azmitia of Guatemala. His stepchildren; Wendy (Jim) Comishen of Barrie, Canada, Peter Campbell of Calgary, Canada, and Barbara Campbell of San José, California. Surviving also are his grandchildren; Jason (Peili) Moore, JoAnne (Paul) Ray, Vani Whiting, Vara Whiting (Aaron) Morley, Alissa (Matthew) Ellman, Brandon Rugg, Chelsea Rugg, Alejandro Azmitia, Andrés (Vicky) Azmitia, Alfredo (Juliane Pagel) Azmitia, his step grandchildren Jessica, Jason, Jennifer Comishen, Taylor Alexander, and Colby Perrine, his Great grandchildren; Alivia, Alexis, Emi, Luke, Joshua, Julie, Daisy, Delilah, Sarah Isabel, Mariana, Clara Charlotte and Antonio Alexander.

Family and friends may gather from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N. Genesee Street, Fillmore where a funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 29 at 11:00 am. His grandson, Jason Moore, will officiate. Burial will in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Houghton.