JOHN KEITH OWEN 1938-2007

In May 2007, Keith (the name he preferred), whilst visiting Sidmouth from Canada, found that he had a terminal illness. He had set aside money for his retirement, after a busy life as a Canadian investment banker and globe trotter. I have no doubt he had intended spending a long and happy retirement based in Sidmouth.

When I met him in May 2007 accompanied by Neville Staddon (our Treasurer) he said he had less than 8 weeks to live. The money he had saved for retirement he now wished to place into the care of the SVA, so that it could be invested in a permanent endowment. This will form the basis of the KEITH OWEN FUND (SVA) The capital can never be spent, but the income generated, Keith said, was to be administered through the Association.

Proceeds of the Fund were to be used to support local projects, which made use of voluntary labour, and in particular to sustain the ambience and way of life, recognized in Sidmouth and its surroundings. He greatly admired the work of the SVA, and the way it had been consistently supported by the voluntary action of its members over more than 160 years. At the same time, he wished to encourage philanthropy amongst SVA members and residents, in order to conserve and preserve all that the local community holds dear.

After further discussions with the Officers, the SVA told Keith how much they appreciated his provision, which we would be pleased to receive for the furtherance of his ideas and the work of the SVA. We hoped that his example would also encourage others to fulfil some of our other goals, where significant contributions would also be welcomed. His life was extended by medical treatment, but he passed away on December 3, 2007 in the Victoria Hospital, Sidmouth.

Who was Keith Owen?

He was a private person who loved to share other’s experiences, but seldom talked about his own! He was born in Totnes on April 17, 1938. His father was Headmaster of Totnes King Edward VI Grammar School. Keith was educated at Montpelier Preparatory School Paignton, and at Canford Public School near Wimborne (Dorset). He went straight from school to train for the RAF. He entered RAF Henlow Technical College (1956–59), followed by flight training (1959–62) at RAF Tern Hill and RAF Swindersby. Later he had postings to RAF Valley, Anglesey; to Singapore (flying Canberra aircraft on reconnaissance), and finally to Saudi Arabia.

In 1962 Keith was invited to be Best Man at his elder brother Gordon’s wedding in England. Indicative of his resourcefulness, he ‘wangled’ a military flight from Singapore travelling next to the bomb bay! He married in 1970 but this lasted only a few years and there were no children. In 1976, after 20 years RAF service he retired with the rank of Squadron Leader. He set up home in Ottawa, Canada, and became a Canadian citizen. He also became a Financial Advisor with Dominion Securities in Ottawa for the next 10 years. He owned a log cabin at Partridge Lake, (near Ottawa), which finally burnt down in 2006.

In 1986, he became a world traveller and ‘a free spirit’, on trips sometimes lasting years, touring Mexico, Africa, the Far East, and Australia. It was said he had seen ‘most of the world except for the North and South poles’. In 1998 Keith made his home in Britain in a narrow boat named “Bilbo Baggins” and, over the next two years, he virtually completed the Grand Tour of UK canals, with friends being invited to join in at any time. At the end, he sold the boat and returned to Canada.

His mother lived at Barton House, Sidmouth, and when he visited the town, he was active in Rotary, the SVA, and the Bridge Club. He enjoyed conversations with people who had had interesting experiences. (During his short illness in Sidmouth we are grateful for those members of the SVA who took time to share his company).

Handel Bennett

For Keith’s aspirations, and the Terms of the KEITH OWEN FUND (SVA), please Click Here - 84kb

Keith Owen Fund Application - 58kb

Keith Owen Fund Conditions - 32kb

This document requires Adobe PDF Reader

If you do not have a PDF reader, please download it free from the Adobe Website

See the grants that have been awarded from late 2008 - Click Here