Keith Houtz Rhodes

Keith Houtz Rhodes, 87, of Winneconne, Wisconsin, passed into the arms of our Lord on Sunday, February 26, 2012, surrounded by family.
He was born February 19, 1925, in Havre, Montana; the son of Leroy Ellsworth Rhodes and Jeanne Marie (Maris) Rhodes. He was a 1943 graduate of Havre High School and was immediately selected for the Navy's rigorous V12 program; attending both the Montana School of Mines and then the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He accepted his Navy commission in 1945 when called to active duty. Upon returning from active duty in 1946, he married his college sweetheart, Doris Jean Hansche on August 24, 1946. Keith completed his undergraduate work in January 47 and then a Masters in Mechanical Engineering in 1949.
Keith spent several years in Racine, working at first for American Motors and then for Walker Manufacturing in their advanced internal combustion engine group. He then moved his family to Winneconne in 1968 to become the chief engineer at Case. Finally in 1978 he established KHORD, a successful engineering consulting venture. In retirement, he pursued his passion as an engineer, historian, and astrophysicist writing many books and articles on the subject.
As a dedicated member of the Racine community, he helped to found the Village of Elmwood Park, was the superintendent of Sunday Schools at Christ Church Methodist in Racine, an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and presided over the taxpayers association. In Winneconne he served several terms as president of the Indian Shores Association where he focused on bettering the neighborhood and surrounding waterways.
Keith was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Doris Jean his parents, Leroy and Jeanne; his brother, Cecil; and sister, Doris.
Keith is survived by his two daughters, Cheri Jeanne (Richard) Vaughn, of Naples, FL; Lesley Ann (Michael) Stewart, of Escanaba, MI; and son Brian Keith (Leslee Schneider) Rhodes, of Winchester, Wisconsin; 7 grandchildren: Christopher (Kim) Nance, of Phoenix, AZ; Jason (Michaela) Nance, of Dallas, TX; Taniquelle Thurner, of Green Bay, WI; Kelly Thurner, of Naples, FL; Jeffrey Thurner, of Madison, WI; James (Abby) Stewart, and Jacquelyn Stewart, of Escanaba, MI; 9 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Sunday, March 4, 2012, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Winneconne, Wisconsin. Funeral services celebrating Keith's life will be held at 12 p.m., Monday, March 5, 2012 with a visitation one hour preceding the service at the Mueller Funeral Home. Rev. Glenn Wagner, Keith's nephew, will officiate.

Mueller Funeral Home
904 E. Main St.
Winneconne, WI 54986
(920) 582-4242
Please submit online condolences to
www.muellerfuneralhomeinc.com