Keith Bishop
Dennis “Keith” Bishop was a caring and hard working father, husband, scientist, and friend. He touched the lives of many with his kindness and wonderful sense of humor. After a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and Dementia, Keith passed away peacefully on July 14th, 2022 at age 69.
Keith was born on January 15, 1953, in Dallas, Texas. He was the third of three children born to James and Mary Bishop. As a child his family relocated to Rosenberg, Texas, where he lived until his early twenties.
In March, 1975, Keith joined the Navy and after bootcamp went to Navy Corpsman school in San Diego, where he graduated first in his class. Upon graduation he was assigned to the hospital at Marine Corps Base, Twentynine Palms, California. In the Spring of 1976, he met his future wife, Mary, a Marine. When not working, they spent time camping and hiking in the desert, and traveling around southern California.
Keith was discharged from the Navy in Spring of 1978, and enrolled in the microbiology program at Boise State University. Mary followed and moved to Boise in Fall of 1978. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, and Fall, 1982, began his graduate work at Washington State University. He earned his Ph.D. in Immunology in 1986. He then accepted a post-doctoral research position in the Department of Surgery , Division of Transplantation, at Ohio State University. After three years, he was offered a research faculty position in the CardiacTransplant Program at University of Utah.
In June, 1991, Keith and Mary were blessed with the arrival of their son, Jason. Emily made their family complete when she was born in August, 1995.
In 1994, University of Michigan, Department of Surgery, recruited him to join the faculty. He had a joint appointment in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and from 2001-2012, was the Director of the Graduate Program in Immunology. In 2004 he was promoted to full Professor with tenure. He served 11 years on scientific review panels for the National Institutes of Health. Over the course of his career, he published several hundred scientific articles, reviews, book chapters, and was awarded over three million dollars in grants.
In 1996, he was awarded “Alumni of the Year” at Boise State University.
Keith retired December 2014, after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Despite all his achievements, Keith remained the boy from Texas with humble roots. After retirement, Keith and Mary moved back to Boise, Idaho to be close to family and return to their undergraduate roots.
Throughout his life, Keith enjoyed running, backpacking, fishing, skiing, camping, and spending time with family. His favorite things were music, animals, ice cream, fried chicken legs, and a good beverage. Keith loved being a dad and husband, and will be forever missed.
Keith is survived by his brother Jim, wife Mary, and two children: Jason and Emily. Keith will rest in heaven with his parents, and sister Janie.
A memorial service will be scheduled to celebrate Keith’s life. Please contact sawtooth2015@gmail.com for details.
Donations can be made to the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation or the Idaho Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.