Keefer Dean Babbitt

 Born July 30, 1992, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Keefer Dean Babbitt lit up a room with his beaming smile and radiant energy. As a boy, he was usually sporting a cowboy hat and boots, clutching his Sherriff Woody doll in his arm, and bargaining with his sister and brothers while running his candy store. His ability to bring laughter and levity to friends and family was effortless. The light he shone on the lives of everyone who knew him, was eclipsed when he died on January 21, 2021.

Keefer's early life was spent in Iowa, where the early seeds of his passion for athletics were sown. After moving to Heber City, Utah, his athletic ability flourished and produced state titles in basketball, track and football. Keefer met the love of his life, Riley Pendleton, in high school. As fate would have it, their paths crossed later in college and they began dating. While earning a Finance degree from the University of Utah in 2015, he forged lifelong friendships and leadership roles with the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Keefer balanced his busy collegiate schedule with an internship at Grandeur Peak Global Advisors that turned into an extraordinarily successful nine-year career, achieving a top position as Portfolio Manager.

Keefer and Riley married on July 7, 2017 surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains. They enjoyed traveling together on his work trips, especially spending six weeks in Australia. On September 23, 2019, they welcomed their daughter Ivy Lou into their loving arms. More than anything, Keefer relished his role as husband and “Dada”.

This past year Keefer, Riley and Ivy enjoyed a family trip to their special place, Maui, as well as the luxury of precious time spent together in their new home. Despite the support of his loving family and his relentless drive to better himself, Keefer wasn’t able to enjoy the life he had intentionally built. Everyone who knew Keefer saw him as perfect in every way —he just couldn’t see it himself. Keefer will continue to provide for us in the ways we need him. 

Keefer is survived by wife Riley, daughter Ivy Lou; parents Rod and Judy Babbitt, Chris and Amy Pendleton; siblings Derk (Cesar), Ashley (Patrick), Weston (Jessica), and brother-in-law Sawyer. 

A small remembrance will be occurring with his immediate family in the next month. A larger gathering for his celebration of life will be planned in July (TBD).

Please share your memories and photos with his family at remembering.keefer.babbitt@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, support for the family can be given in the following ways:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/Babbitt-family 

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/k57vvv