Paul Ballard Keyser
April 5, 1939 - January 3, 2023
Utah lost a giant in our community: Paul Ballard Keyser. He succumbed to a long battle with cancer on January 3rd, 2023. He died peacefully in his sleep, a wish he always wanted for his death. Paul was one of five children born to Jim and Peg Keyser in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended high school at the Hill School in Pennsylvania. Following the Hill School, Paul attended Princeton University; one of his greatest accomplishments. It was the Hill School and Princeton where Paul learned the great value of education. He passed this value along to others around him, setting up education funds for over 10 children.
In his early adult life, Paul was married to Janice Freeze in December, 1961 (later, Paul and Janice were divorced). They shared a great life for 20 years and had two children together: Cari and Steve. They enjoyed boating at Lake Powell and the family has many fond memories there. He also loved ATVing in Southern Utah, jeeping in Moab, and snowmobiling in the Uinta Mountains. He carried on these passions throughout his life.
Paul was best known as the Chairman of the Board of Utah PaperBox (UPB) a 109 year multi- generational packaging company that he worked at for an astounding 55 years! He loved the fact that he got to witness his granddaughter, Madison Keyser, work at the business in his last 6 months of life and how she liked to harass her father (Paul’s son) Steve Keyser, UPB’s current CEO. He also liked watching his daughter, Cari Brinkerhoff, excel at Packsize, another Utah based packaging company.
Paul was a father figure to many and helped many entrepreneurs start businesses including NAI Utah, SDI Screen Printing among the few.. He changed a lot of people's lives and was a great mentor to many people. In addition to his many professional endeavors at Utah PaperBox, he served on the board of the Salt Lake Water, Kiwanis, and US Bank. He was also a big philanthropist. He frequently noted that because he made much of his wealth on the West Side of the greater Salt Lake area, he should focus on giving back in this area. He was active in the Boys and Girls Club and Guadalupe Center and was especially proud of the work they completed.
He is survived by his younger brother, Bill Keyser; two children: Cari Brinkerhoff (Larry Brinkerhoff) and Steve Keyser (Barb Gander); and six grandchildren: Ryan (Aleena), Madde (Aidan), Niki (Austin), Katie (Roman), Sara (Nick), and Erin. Amongst his family, he is also survived by many dear friends. We will miss Paul but know he lived a great life and his legacy will be carried on at Utah PaperBox and through his family and friends.
In honor of Paul Keyser, there will be a celebration of life, open house style, on Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East. Guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance on the north side of the building.
The family would like to request in lieu of flowers, to consider donating to Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake.
In Loving Memory
Dear Cari and Steve and Family, We are all heartbroken over the loss of your father and our close friend PK. As so many have stated, he was a magnificent human being with a great capacity to love and care for the many people in his life. We feel honored and indeed privileged to have been a part of the UPB family for so many years and especially to know him on a more personal level as well. He will be sorely missed by all and We will certainly miss the quiet times with him during our monthly lunch dates and get togethers. Please know of our love for you and your families and may you find comfort in the tremendous legacy of love, service and example he shared with everyone he met. May God bless all of you in the coming days, weeks and months ahead. Godspeed PK! All of our Love, Scott and Mary Cowan and famy❤️
Paul was a very special friend of mine. Eventhough we were in the same business we learned alot from each other. He invited my wife and myself to join him in a 4 day trip to Moab what a very special vacation. At another time we went snowmobiling outside of Salt Lake City. He was a man for all seasons and My Son ,Stuart, and Wife,Mary, send their Condolences to Paul's entire family
Dear Steve & Carri, My association with your dad started when he as a salesman for UPB and myself as sales and marketing at Covenant Communications did business. We became great friends and I have great memories of our mutual association through the years. The lunches, discussions and practical jokes we shared are some of my fondest reminiscences.Best wishes to you and your family, Lew Kofford
Steve and Cari and the entire families. Tim and I are so sorry for your loss and I know what a close family all of you were and the time spent together was very special !! we are sending you all our heartfelt hugs as I know it will be. A difficult time these next few months , and we are sad to miss the celebration of life but I know PK would want a great party and for everyone to remember what a fun person he was ! all our best to you and to your family! love tim and Marina collins
Dear Keyser Family, We are so saddened to hear of Paul’s passing. The Bean and Keyser families have enjoyed a relationship since the 1940's when Ralph J. Bean was hired as an accountant for Utah Paper Box company (under Jim Keyser's leadership). In the late 1960's, Ralph’s son, Michael came to work for the Company and years later (after Ralph retired) became V.P. of Manufacturing and Paul's partner. Mike loved his 30+ years at the Box Company and was so gratified by the partnership with Paul. My Mother, Brother and I have all worked many jobs at the Box over the years, and to say it influenced our lives is a gross understatement. I literally grew up running around those old halls and I only got called into the boss’s office once. Paul was always so kind and generous with our family. He was especially good to RuthEllen when Mike passed away in 2000. We will never forget his generosity during that difficult time. Our family will always be grateful for Paul. We are consoled with the many fond memories of lunches, test drives, shared vacations and working together. Our sincerest condolences, Adrienne, RuthEllen and Mathis Bean
In Loving Memory
