Keith Kraetsch was born in West Bend, WI, and moved to Oak View, CA when he was five years old. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served four years. He was married and had two sons.

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He worked six years for Pacific Bell and was encouraged to join the Ventura County Fire Department in 1969. He loved the Fire Department, rising through the ranks to become Engineer and then Captain. His love was serving for eleven years as the President of the Ventura County Professional Fire Fighters Association. He wanted to make the department the best in the country and enacted many changes and negotiated many contracts.

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Diagnosed with cancer in Dec. 1994, Keith passed away June 24, 1995. He is missed very much by his wife, sons and the four grandsons he never got to meet.