Judy Keim

September 24, 1944 – January 11, 2011

Judy Keim passed away on January 11, 2011, surrounded by loving family and friends. She was born in Philadelphia on September 24, 1944, to Gordon Edgar and Karol Keim. She graduated from Abington Friends School in 1962 and from Penn Hall Junior College in 1964. Judy spent two years as a VISTA volunteer in the Midwest. She received her BA Degree in 1974 from Indiana University. After graduating, she decided to take a cross country trip – when she arrived in Santa Barbara, she never looked back.

Judy was the owner and operator of PEDAL & PADDLE–a guided bike, kayak, and walking eco-tour company. She did extensive research to be able to showcase her beloved Santa Barbara to visitors and locals alike. There is a long list of organizations and activities that were her passions and through which she made a difference in many people’s lives. These include: Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition, Audio Describer Alliance, Santa Barbara Visitor’s Center, Women in Black, Sierra Club, Art From Scrap, First Night Santa Barbara, CycleMAYnia. Judy worked at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. There she began a recycling program and taught children about recycling. In addition, Judy studied sign language and Spanish so she was able to work with hearing impaired children and to teach English as a second language as an aide in adult education classes. She loved bird watching, supporting local theater, traveling, camping, and recycling! Above all, she loved the beach – body surfing, swimming, kayaking, and marine life of all kinds.

She is survived by her son, Kelcey; husband, Donnie Hammock; long-time companion, Vicky Ford; stepsons Tobin and Keith Hammock and Daniel Akzinor; and 8 grandchildren; sister Susan Eichelberger and husband Marty; brother Terry Keim and wife Agnes; many nieces and nephews; canine companion, Gizmo; and a zillion friends collected throughout her life.

A Celebration of Judy’s Life will be held in Santa Barbara in June 2011. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Judy’s name to a charity of choice.