Keith Patrick VanNostrand

Keith passed away on February 9, 2025, at Strong Memorial Hospital, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Keith was determined until the very end to urge his doctors to consider every treatment option and to leave no stone unturned.

He is predeceased by his grandparents Charles and Frieda Kissinger and Clyde and Winifred VanNostrand; and uncle Edward Lane.

He is survived by his parents Roger L. VanNostrand (Clifton Springs, NY) and Cindy J. VanNostrand (Victor, NY); siblings Douglas (Diane DeCastro) VanNostrand of Madison, NJ and Debra (Craig) Scott of Gerry, NY; aunts and uncles Nancy (Jim) Roth of Clearwater, FL, Sharee (Tom) Defayette of Geneva, NY, Randy (Kelly) VanNostrand of Phelps, NY, Barbara Lane of Orange Park, FL, and Janine Noble of Scottsville, NY; and many cousins and friends.

From an early age, Keith loved to learn and embraced academia in every sense. He especially loved scientific research and information technology. Keith attended Hartwick College for one year. He then transferred to Houghton College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry. He earned his PhD from the University of Rochester in Biophysics in 2012. Keith also completed two post doctorates, one with the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and the other at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Keith loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking and running and bird watching. He was very environmentally conscientious and concerned that nothing be wasted that was still usable. Faith played an important role in Keith's life. As a curious person, he explored multiple traditions and forms of worship over the years, seeking the most authentic connection he could find with the sacred and experimenting with the best ways to incorporate faith communities into the rest of his life. Keith sang tenor in choirs in college and various churches as well as with the Rochester Oratorio Society. He played alto and tenor saxophone, flute, and keyboard.

A Celebration of Life Service is planned for June 14, 2025 starting at 10:00 AM at Gates Presbyterian Church, Gates, NY officiated by Rev. Laura Bachmann.  The service is open to all and livestreaming will be available. 

For those who would like to honor his memory please consider donations to the Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, NY or Rochester Oratorio Society.

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