Keith Armbruster

Keith W. Armbruster

Received his calling from our Lord for heaven on September 15, 2024. He is survived by his wife Deborah of Upland, 3 children, Erinn Lyn Rhodes, (Stephen) of San Antonio, Texas, Christopher Edmund (Christine) of Los Angeles, Kimberly Anne, (Wesley) of Upland, 5 grandchildren, Lauren Rhodes (Texas), Ryan Rhodes (Nantucket  MA.), Madelyn and Emersyn (Los Angeles), and MaCallan (Upland). He is also survived by 4 brothers and a sister all from Michigan; Gary, Lynn, Kevin, Lee and Gail. Keith was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on October 30, 1945. After graduating from the University of Michigan majoring in business administration, he felt the calling to join the United States Naval Academy. After his training at the U.S. Fleet Training Center in San Diego, California, Lieutenant Keith Armbruster reported as Commanding Officer at the Naval Communication Station Honolulu Hawaii for his 4 years of service at the naval base at Pearl Harbor. 

Keith’s early years were enjoyed in a beautiful custom home his parents built for their large family in Saline Michigan and filled with fast and fulfilling days living in the Midwest. His parents also had a cabin up north in Michigan at Wamplers Lake. Here, during the cold months the boys played ice hockey, skating and every winter sport you could think of. He had fun times growing up in Michigan with a large family. Whether it was helping his Dad out in his various business ownerships he had over the years or finally branching out on his own and going off to college, Keith found success. After his 4 years in the Naval Academy Keith felt another calling to move to California and applied for a management position at the JCPenney store in West Covina. He was hired as a personnel manager and over his career with the company he interviewed and hired thousands of people for their stores. Then in 1975, Keith interviewed a new management trainee applicant by the name of Deborah. Their first date was on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1976 and they were married on October 2nd the same year. Keith & Deborah were married at  Pilgrim Congregational Church in Pomona, CA., where they became members for the next 40 years. In 1979, Christopher Edmund was born and in 1980, Kimberly Anne came along. During the next 18 years Keith coached soccer teams, basketball teams and whatever sport the children got themselves into. He was a great father and husband, always putting the family first. He had a great sense of humor and knew how to make any situation better with laughter. This was so evident in all the family vacations we took together, whether it was a road trip, flying to Atlantis, Europe or numerous cruises that the children loved we have collected beautiful memories. Of all the places we traveled to and discovered, there was nothing Keith loved more than our National Parks. He loved America and everything it had to offer the world. Then the children slowly graduated from high school and they were off to college, leaving us with the empty nest syndrome. Finally after 28 years with JCPenney Co., Keith retired and his dream of joining a country club was realized. In 2000, he joined Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. During the next 24 years, Keith enjoyed golfing almost every other day. He loved being out on a beautiful course, meeting great new friends, and the comradery of other members. Through his golfing career he scored a few “Hole in One” certificates, a feather in his hat for a retiree as he would say. Living out his retirement were some of the best years after the career was over. It was a relaxing time, time to put away all schedules, due dates, and various projects that come along with most jobs. Now it was just enjoy every day which he did. Each day without you is a reminder of the light you brought into our life. Thank you for being you—kind, loving, and endlessly supportive. Until we meet again................we love you!

Funeral services are on October 18th at 9 A.M. at Forest Lawn Covina Hills