Keith Malcolm

1933-2007

Capt. Keith Malcolm

ST. CLAIR Keith E. Malcolm, 73, of St. Clair, MI passed away at his home, Friday, August 17, 2007, surrounded by his family, after a short but hard-fought battle against pancreatic cancer. Keith was born October 8, 1933, in Big Rapids, MI the fourth of eleven children to Wilfred and Goldie (Frantz) Malcolm. Keith lived in Fife Lake and Williamsburg in northern Michigan before his family moved to Algonac, MI where he attended grade school. He then attended Marine City High School where he met his wife, Barbara Ann (Wendt). They were married July 12, 1954 in Angola, Indiana.

Keith served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. He was well known in the maritime community. He started out as a diver in 1960, performing many risky diving inspections on vessels, etc. He then bought a small pile driving rig and along with his wife formed Malcolm Marine Salvage and Construction Co. By 1961, he was installing seawalls and docks all up and down the St. Clair River, many of which are still in place today. He then proceeded to purchase bigger equipment, barges, and tugboats and expanded his business to anywhere on the Great Lakes. He performed many risky salvage and towing jobs that other companies would not take and said it could not be done. He soon earned a reputation in the maritime community for being honest, reputable and “always getting the job done.” His tugboats towed stranded or grounded vessels, and his expertise at ice breaking services for steamships in the winter time was well known. At one time or another, he worked for every steamship company on the Great Lakes.

Keith’s greatest wish was to always have his family around him and to that end, his wife, children, and many of his grandchildren, brothers, nephews, and cousins all worked for him on a full or part time basis and will continue his legacy.

Keith was a generous person, donating to many causes, mostly benefiting children, and usually anonymously.

Keith is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara; his children, Capt. David K. (Sandra) Malcolm of Algonac, Donald K. (Jane) Malcolm of Clyde, Deborah (John Stevens) Malcolm of Marine City, Diane (Robert) Hasler of East China; his grandchildren, Keith Malcolm of Algonac, Kevin Malcolm of Kimball, Kyle Malcolm of Fair Haven, Jennifer Malcolm of Kimball, Holly (Eric) Rexford of Port Huron, Nicholas Hunt of Marine City, Tracie (Steve) Oster of Aviano Air Base, Italy, and Dylan Hasler of East China; one great-granddaughter, Amber; his brother and sisters, William (Lorna) Malcolm, Virgina (Keith) Muxlow, Roger (MaryJo) Malcolm, Reginald (Joyce) Malcolm, Alan (Carol) Malcolm, Sharon (Bud) Erdman, Dianne Sanders and Richard (Penny) Malcolm; and many, many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Keith was predeceased by a brother, Donnie, in 1941 in a tragic tractor accident and a sister, Marilyn Brusate in 2005.

Capt. Keith, dear husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, friend, you will be remembered by all you have touched and will be sadly missed until we see you again in that wonderful place you told us about.