‘Unique’ Sandy Keith dies in Butte
The "Richest Hill on Earth" has lost another great treasure.
Well-known Butte character and longtime supper club owner Paul MacDonald "Sandy" Keith, 76, died at his residence Dec. 28. Services were held Jan. 4 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, with a well-attended reception at the Finlen Hotel following burial.
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Sandy Keith
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MTA government affairs counsel Mark Staples knew Sandy Keith for decades. He sang several songs at Sandy's funeral, including “Amazing Grace” and Staples' own “Our Lady of the Rockies.”
Staples had this to say about Sandy:
“Sandy was the ultimate essence of hospitality. His bars through the years had colorful names – the Acoma and Red Rooster among them – but no matter what the bar was named, it was always 'Sandy's,' because he was who you went to see. He was the centerpiece attraction.
“The quintessential bar has always had a colorful character at the center of it. There is no greater example of that than Sandy Keith.
“He was funny, in the know, helpful, and welcoming. You walked into one of his joints and dissolved into a different world than the outside - a lighter one, a more irreverent one, a timeless one, and one that we'll all miss for the rest of our days.
“If there is a saloon-owner's Hall of Fame in Montana, Sandy should be in the inaugural class.”
Sandy was born to Paul and Montana "Tana" (MacDonald) Keith Oct. 18, 1934, in Butte.
Sandy was educated at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, Calif., before receiving his bachelor's degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane. He proudly served his country as a lieutenant in the Army, stationed in Germany.
On Aug. 26, 1976, Sandy married his "bella" wife, Darlene Marsh. Together, they raised their children, Renee and Patrick. Once his wanderlust was satisfied, Sandy's great love of Butte brought him home to stay. He found the perfect way to combine his passion for business with his natural gifts of friendliness and hospitality ... supper clubs.
Sandy began his long-standing career as a local fixture when he took over one of Butte's famed nightspots, the White Swan. He went on to own the landmark Acoma Supper Club before finally settling in at the Red Rooster Supper Club on Harrison Avenue.
Sandy could always be found behind the bar with a warm greeting, a cheerful smile, and a twinkle in his eye that was a money-back guarantee that merriment was the special on the menu. The Red Rooster was the perfect marriage of great friends, delicious food and good times; Sandy was a man of many tastes.
Even when he wasn't working, Sandy's love of entertaining was evident as he welcomed his family and friends to the summer home, Nez Perce.
His generosity and hospitality were Sandy's way of showing his affection and appreciation to the most important people in his life – his family and friends.
An avid 49ers fan and a diehard Grizzly supporter, his fierce loyalty to his teams was only to be outdone by his fierce loyalty to his friends.
Sandy was a member of the Mount Moriah Lodge No. 24, a dedicated member of the Bagdad Shrine, past director of Butte Court No. 23 Royal Order of Jesters, the Gourmet Club, and the Montana Tavern Association. Sandy's perpetual gift of giving gained him many wonderful friendships lasting a lifetime.
Sandy was preceded in death by his father, Paul, in 1962; his mother, Tana, in 1982; and his beloved wife, Darlene, in November 2005. He was also preceded in death by his great-grandfather, Patrick Largey; grandmother and grandfather, Mary Montana and Ray MacDonald; his sister-inlaw, Diane Petersen; nephew, Cooper Andersen; and cousins, Ron MacDonald, Dona MacDonald, and Bill Murray.
He is survived by his daughter, Renee Keith, and Travis Frickle; son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Robbie Keith; grandson, his little buddy, Ryan Keith; sister and brother-in-law, Bourke and Herb Tasker; brother-in-law, Curt, and Jan Peterson; nieces and nephews, Treak and Mary Tasker and family; Bob and Kendra Tasker and family;
Chris and Tiely Tasker, and family; Beth Tasker, Rhonda Peterson, Stacy and David Ballew, and family; and Shelly and Shane Andersen. He is also survived by members of the MacDonald and many families, numerous cousins and cherished friends, who include special friend Leeta Bondurant, and his four pawed pal, Chino.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are greatly preferred to the Bagdad Shrine Transportation Fund, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association or Albert's Angel Fund
Editor’s Note: The obituary printed here contained information from The Montana Standard.