Keith Vincent Stracchino - Obituary

Keith Vincent Stracchino passed away on December 13, 2024, in Kennewick, WA. He was born November 4, 1935, in Chatham, Kent, United Kingdom to Ada & James Stracchino. His early education was at the Duke of York's Royal Military School in Dover, Kent. During World War II the school was temporarily evacuated to Saunton, Devon, which Keith later returned to while in the Royal Air Force and was based at RMB Chivenor. It was while he served here that he met his future wife, Gina Harris. The two learned to ballroom dance together, entering a few competitions, and they continued to dance for pleasure for many years. They also enjoyed playing tennis and badminton together. During his military years, Keith trained as both a mechanical engineer and an electrical engineer, the dual skills serving him well over the course of his career, in and out of the military. After the Air Force he worked for British Aircraft Corporation (later British Aerospace), in research and development. This work included collaboration with NASA, which worked well with his lifelong love of space. After leaving BAE, he had a brief stint with a company that moved him to Valley Forge, PA, then he transitioned to a job with Hewlett Packard in Spokane, WA. While working for HP he worked diligently on designing and engineering systems to reduce the release of CFCs, and traveled the world to ensure all HP vendors complied with the process. He retired in 2001, and he and Gina continued to travel and explore various parts of the world for several years.

Keith had a great love of the arts, especially classical music, enjoying many evenings at the Spokane Symphony, and supporting up and coming performers in local college music programs. His interests also included music and dance from other cultures, visits to museums and art galleries, and spending time in nature.

In his final years he struggled with Alzheimer’s, which eventually took his life.

His final gift was to donate his body to medical research so there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association/Alzheimer’s Society in hopes of a day no family has to watch a loved one suffer with this horrible disease.

Keith is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Gina, daughter Peri Stracchino, son Philip Stracchino (Mary Elizabeth), daughter Frances-anne Hiemstra (Michael), and five granddaughters, Bethany and Gwyneth Hiemstra, and Asolee, Gwenhwyfar and Maeve Stracchino.

The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the loving care provided by the staff of Brookdale Torbett and Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice.