Franklin Samuel “Sam” Keiffer, 92, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2019, at his home in Deale, MD. He was born in Washington, DC, on September 28, 1926, to Mildred and Edward Keiffer. Sam had an interesting childhood.
When his parents divorced, Sam was “farmed out” to live with other families, so his mother could work. The best time of his childhood was spending his summers on Smith Island, MD, where he caught crabs, learned to swim and played with his island friends. He maintained friendships with the Islanders his entire life and considered visiting “The Island” as going home.
After graduating from Bladensburg High in 1944, Sam was assigned to the Army Air Corp Cadet Flight School at Duquesne University. With the ending of WWII, Sam returned home and enlisted in the Merchants Marine and was assigned to office duty in Washington, DC. Sam left the service and joined the Maryland State Police and was assigned to the Marine Division in Oxford, MD.
He left the MSP and his career changed to the travel industry when he started working as an information agent/ticket agent at Union Station. He later worked as a representative for Canadian Pacific Railroad, Iberian Airlines, Canadian Pacific Airlines, and World Wide Travel. The highlight of his career was becoming Chief of Transportation for Inter-American Development Bank where he was responsible of all phases of travel for the bank.
After retiring from IADB, his retirement jobs included being co-owner of Bay Country Travel in Dunkirk, MD, General Manager for United States Travel Services and Field Representative for International Air Traffic and Airlines Reporting Corporation. When Sam finally retired, he volunteered for the Maryland State Police Barrack” U” in Prince Frederick, MD for over 12 years. His all time favorite job.
Sam was a member of Masonic Lodge Hyattsville for 70 years, Prince Frederick Lodge, Scottish Rite, SKAL International of Washington, DC, American Legion, and Cedar Grove UMC. Sam is survived by his wife of 35 years, Linda E. [Frye] Keiffer; brother, Andrew Grose (Jacquie) of Cloverdale, CA; Sister-in-law, Sylvia Pope of Port Republic, MD. His children, Russell Keiffer, Bruce Keiffer (Debbie) of Lutz, FL, John Keiffer (Bonnie Bray) of Southport, NC; Sally Helmbold (Rick) of Southport, NC and Jennifer Ziemer (Mark) of Arvada, CO.
he is also survived by his grandchildren Jeremy Keiffer, Christopher Keiffer, Ryan Keiffer, Jessica Wiley, Brittany Keiffer, Ella Hollaway, Mason Ziemer, and Ben Ziemer; and great grandsons, Henry and Caleb Keiffer. He was predeceased by his former wife of 35 years, Frances Keiffer, stepson, W. Matthew Hollaway, and treasured pets, “Boo”, “Boo-Too”, “Ralph”, “Penny” and “Bella”. Sam was known for his love of people and his quick wit.
He never met a person he didn’t want to tease. A Visitation will be held on Friday, March 29, 2019, at Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, 5965 Deale-Churchton Road, Deale, MD 20751 from 10 am until the start of the Celebration of Life at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, 5965 Deale-Churchton Road, Deale, MD 20751.
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