Fatal car accident claims the life of Alberta man

On July 2, 2018, 61-year-old, Alfred Keep, from Redcliff, AB was involved in a car accident on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Calgary.

EMS officials stated the multi-car collision occurred at the bottom of Scott Lake Hill, said to be 60 km outside of Calgary.

Keep was driving east when a semi struck him, also headed east, around 12:30 p.m. that day. The driver of the semi was unharmed in the collision. Two other vehicles were also involved in the accident, but no injuries were reported.

The weather is said to have been the cause for the accident, as conditions were unfavourable with heavy rain and hail.

Keep was a retired sergeant and was a part of the 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (CER) family. Keep joined the military in September 1977. After completing his trades training, his first posting was to 1 CER. During his time with 1 CER, Keep completed his parachute training, later joining 2 CER as a member of their jump team. He remained with 2 CER from 1980 to ’85, after which he spent six years with 4 CER.

It was during his time with 4 CER, Keep managed to obtain his German Para Wings. In 1991, Keep was posted to Range Maintenance in CFB Suffield. He was promoted to Master Corporal in 1998 and posted to 1 CER.

Keep was promoted Sergeant in 2002, he remained with 1 CER until 2004 then was posted to Wainwright as the Accommodations IC. From Accommodations, he was posted to Range Control.

Throughout his career, Keep completed two deployments. The first to Cyprus with the Airborne Regiment and the second to Kosovo with 2 CER.

Friends and family remember Keep for his illustrious career and his infectious laugh and smile. He always had an upbeat attitude and was very enthusiastic. Friends and family said he rarely got upset about anything. He could be seen coming from anywhere driving his orange Corvette. Keep will be greatly missed by many.

A viewing for Keep was held on July 9 at Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel in Medicine Hat, AB., and a memorial service was held at Royal Canadian Legion Redcliff on July 13.