Keith Lester Levien

Keith Lester Levien, 78, of Corvallis, Oregon, passed away in his sleep, at home, from pancreatic cancer, without pain, on September 5, 2026. He was a remarkable husband, brother, father, grandfather, teacher, ichthyophile, runner, Pi Kappa Alpha and Tau Beta Pi member, LEGO master, stargazer, and friend. Every room will be a little more dull without Keith’s genuine humor, affable nature, and curiosity for others and their lives. Keith was born in Davenport, Iowa on July 17, 1948, to Lester and Florine Levien. He was the oldest of four siblings, all proudly raised in Davenport. After serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy, Keith got his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He moved to Corvallis to teach Chemical Engineering Process Control at Oregon State University in 1985 and retired in 2017. He became a campus legend, and innovator in his field, for his unique LEGO competitions that showed students how to take abstract programming and process control concepts and visualize them through LEGO commands and creations. Keith’s teaching made a positive and inspiring difference in many of his students’ lives and is continued by the faculty at South Dakota School of Mines, who carry on his LEGO legacy. A few months after moving to Corvallis, he met his wife, Bekki. They (literally) built a home together and raised three boys in it. His family was his life. He served as a scoutmaster, soccer coach, and First Lego League coach for all three boys. He also traveled the world for his globetrotting wife. When he wasn’t focused on his loved ones or his students, he could be found running in his signature highlighter orange jacket and hat. Over 50 years, Keith ran at least three dozen marathons — including five in four separate countries, in the course of a single year! He was also a faithful member of Grace Lutheran Church in Corvallis. Keith is survived by his wife, Bekki; his three sons, Kyle (Teo), Cody (Julia) and Quincy; his beloved grandchildren, Wesley, Emma, and Archer; his three siblings, Craig (Laura), Nancy and Joann (John); and his nieces and nephews, Brenna, Claire, Martha, Megan, Laura, Aaron, Will, Mark, Luke, and Justin. Details of Keith’s celebration of life will be made available through the DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home in Corvallis, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Keith’s memory to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

Keith Lester Levien

July 17, 1948 - September 5, 2026