Bart P. McKeirnan
November 15, 1968 - August 14, 2007
Obituary
Bart P. McKeirnan,
Bart P. McKeirnan of Seattle died August 14 at the age of 38, surrounded by his family and close friends. Bart was a happy and loving person who enjoyed life and he will be missed immensely.
Bart was born in Pullman, Washington, and graduated from Pullman High School in 1987. Bart subsequently earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Washington’s Honors Program in 1991.
Bart was a technical writer and editor before beginning his career at Microsoft Corporation in 1997 where he worked for over 10 years. In his most recent role in the Hardware User Experience group, he was responsible for designing the “out of the box” experience for consumer hardware devices such as mice, keyboards, and web cameras. He was a passionate advocate for his customers and was responsible for measurably improving the success rate of the installation process for consumers. His work was regularly acknowledged by the technical communications industry. In 2007, his accomplishments included a Puget Sound Society of Technical Communications “Distinguished Award” and an “Excellence Award” at the International level of the competition.
Bart’s many friends and family also benefited from his passion for making computers simpler to use, enjoying personalized technical assistance and training. In addition to an avid interest in computers and all aspects of technology, Bart had many other hobbies and interests including being a voracious reader of topics ranging from science to the classics, watching and reviewing movies, and cooking and entertaining with his family and friends. Bart particularly enjoyed spending time with children and he was adored by the children in his life. Bart spent many happy days snowskiing, snowboarding and waterskiing, and he was committed to donating his time and money and regularly volunteered in his community.
Bart recently purchased a home and took pride in renovating it. He loved to travel and spent time in Europe, Ireland, Mexico, Hawaii, and annually in Whistler B.C. with his family. Bart loved being in Spirit Lake, Idaho, where he spent summers as a child and visited again in recent years with his cousins, aunt, uncle, and extended family, and in Waterville and Pomeroy, Washington, where his maternal and paternal grandparents resided.
Bart was preceded in death by his father Michael J. McKeirnan in 1971. Bart is survived by his family in Seattle including his mother Alison J. McKeirnan, his brother Brian McKeirnan, and his sisters Shelly and Lisa McKeirnan, and Lisa’s husband Haukur Johannesson, and his son Odinn Johannesson. His brother Brad McKeirnan resides in Yakima with his wife Elizabeth and his niece and nephew Jessica and Michael.
Donations may be made in Bart’s name to Planned Parenthood of Washington or the
Bailey-Boushay House.
You will be missed. I hadn’t seen you in a long time, but you always brought a smile to my face. Laureen
I want to offer my sincerest condolences to Bart’s family and friends.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss!
I remember him walking through the halls of PHS, laughing with Meg, Sandy and Yana . He had a great smile and a contagious laugh!
I recall when my brother Mike committed suicide. Bart and Jeff came out of their way to say they were sorry for teasing him at LMS. That was commendable and meant a lot to me. I’m pleased to read Bart had that same zeal for life and integrity of character as a man too.
I pray your family will find consolation in the outpouring of love, people will send through letters and calls.
Blessings, Karen Pritchett Larance
My condolences. I am deeply saddened.
I worked with Bart briefly at Microsoft approximately five years ago, although since then we have been busy on different teams in different sides of the building in Redwest B. No matter. Once or twice a week we would pass each other in the halls and he would always address me by name and smile and say “Hello.” After five years, every time! That was Bart. Courteous and kind and cordial to the end. He will be missed.
So sad to hear about Bart’s passing. I was fortunate to meet and become friends with Bart during my senior year of HS in Pullman and after he moved over here to Seattle after he graduated and started at the U. It’s so difficult not think of him and smile. His laughter and smile were so affecting. He was so funny. Incredibly funny! An abundance of wit, humor and kindness in one person. I can so hear his laughter right now. Such a loss. It’s hard one to hear about. My condolences to his family. May all of your hearts heal soon.
I’m so sorry to hear of y’all’s loss! I can’t even imagine what it would be like to lose a child or sibling! It sounds from the above that Bart lived life to the fullest and enjoyed your family life together which I think alot of people miss out on…I still just remember him as a little boy in the kitchen while Shelly and I made Alison’s famous chocolate chip cookies I still use that same recipe. I’m sure Bart will be greatly missed!
I am stricken with the news of Bart’s passing. He was a dear friend for many years. I remember a complex person who was both wildly mischeivous and deeply caring. I have years worth of hilarious memories: detention in Mrs. Exum’s class, after school at Pizza Haven, driving all over town on the scooters, the time he deliberately got suspended from school so he could take a “vacation,” skipping biology to sun tan on his deck, the day his Celica got stuck in my neighbor’s back yard. Those are just a few. I treasure these memories and wish desperately that he were still here so that we could laugh about them together. My sincerest condolonces to Bart’s family, whose grief I cannot even begin to imagine.
Dear Allison, Brad, Lisa, Shelly and Brian,
I have thought about Bart and about each of you a great deal over the past weeks. Although it has been a long time since I have seen Bart, Mum, Dad and Leslie have spoken frequently of Bart’s kindness, his warmth, and his sense of humor. Clearly, his life was a gift to many people. I am sorry that his last days were so hard, not only for him, but for each of you. Please accept my condolences. Our prayers are with all of you.
Ken, Michelle, Tyne and Audrey Alexander
Allison and family,
I haven’t seen Bart since he was a little boy, but I remember him as bright and endearing. We always wanted to visit Mike and Allison’s home to play with little bouncing Bart. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time…
Anyone who had the privilege to spend any amount of time with Bart was fortunate to have had the opportunity to benefit from his razor sharp wit, his intellect and his love for life and living.
My father, Patsy Rogalski and I had just been speaking about Bart when I received the news that Bart had passed away. I was, and still am, shocked, saddened and numb. I can’t believe the boy with whom Jeff Schneiderman and I used to ride bikes and swim at Reaney Park is gone.
I recently had the opportunity to have lunch with Shara Cook, yet another Franklin Fox, and we laughed about the time we took him and Jeff horseback riding when we must have been all of ten years old. The memory of Bart laughing as we galloped and trotted through what was formerly a huge, open field below the Charlie Brown water tower, as well as my memories of his mischievous pranks, bring a smile to my lips.
Reading about his numerous successes, his love for children and of the love so many people shared for him was heartening and I hope it brings as much comfort as possible to his family during this most difficult of times. My most sincere condolences and deepest sympathy go out to Bart’s extended family. Although he will always be missed, Bart could never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I remember Bart from having been his teacher in sophomore English at Pullman High School. In particular, I remember one very humorous incident. Bart was taking a make-up test in the seminar room just off my classroom. There were windows all around it, and I could easily see him from my position at the front of the classroom. All of a sudden, he began flapping his arms and pointing to a hole in the ceiling…..my first thought was that this was bizarre behavior for someone who was supposed to be concentrating on a test. I waved to him as if so say “Get back to work, Bart,” yet he kept flapping his “wings.” Turns out, a baby bird one of many who used to nest in the ceiling above the English department had dropped through the hole on what was probably its first venture from the nest. I shall never forget the sight of Bart with a puzzled look on his face flapping his “wings.”
So many very special individuals such as Bart seem to be taken away from us far too soon.
Thoughts and prayers,
Patsy Rogalski
For the family of Bart,
We just had our 20th class reunion and Bart’s nametag hung up on the board the entire weekend. I asked “is Bart here yet?” about 100 times! I didn’t know he wasn’t feeling well and was so gravely ill. My deepest sympathy and support to your family, he will be missed.
I loved Bart, as tears roll down my face, I realize I wouldn’t have had a happy senior year if it weren’t for him touching my life. Bart was lovely, and he took care of his friends. The thought of Bart brings a smile to my face every time, he had such a great sense of humor and we laughed so much together.
I hope you find joy in the fact he was an amazing person, and people were blessed by him. I pray God sends his love and peace to embrace your family.
With most sincere sympathy and sadness, Becky King Jones
Dear Alison, Shelley, Lisa, Brian, and Brad, We remember Bart as kind and personable, and a special kind of care giver. May pleasant memories help your sorrow.
Bart, I will remember you as someone who made things happen for himself, and always with a smile. For your family and friends, I hope that someday happy memories of you can alleviate these present sorrows.
One of favorite childhood memories is the gathering of all the neighborhood kids in the McKeirnan kitchen making frosted Christmas cookies. Of course, there was the time Bart and Leslie finished off the whiskey sour punch left in all the glasses after our parents party! Our thoughts and prayers are with you-Tanya and Trina
As a first-time manager at Microsoft, Bart was one of the first people I hired into my group the UX team in Hardware, and I’m so glad I did; he made my job and easier one. The four years we worked together were great ones. As others have shared, Bart always had a positive outlook, was dedicated in his work and play, and often had a kind word for someone. It’s been several years since we had spoken, but I can see that the number of people Bart touched in his life is a great indicator of the kind of man he was.
Bart has been a part of my life for longer than I can remember. He will always be with me and I truly hope that everyone can have one childhood friend like I had in Bart. Always, Leslie Robison
To Bart’s family,
I worked with Bart for about 7 years at Microsoft, and I always admired how close Bart was to you all. He was so excited about his Mom moving to Seattle, and talked about all of you often. I feel lucky to have known Bart. He was a wonderful, caring friend who always had other’s best interest at heart.
Dear Brian and family,
Many heartfelt sympathies to you and your family during this difficult time. All of You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Thinking of you,
KathyBezdickDodson
Dear Alison, Brad, Lisa, Shelly and Brian,
We are all with you in spirit and love as you celebrate Bart’s life. His smile and caring for children were his gifts to all those who knew him. Our Love, Jim and Maureen Evermann
Dear Alison, We are so sorry to hear of Bart’s passing. It is heart breaking when a child goes before us as that isn’t the way it should be. Our love to you.
Pat and Duane
I didn’t see Bart much in his final years, but I hope he knows that I still cared about him, and thought of him frequently. He is, and forever will be missed.
While I am so very sorry for your loss, and the loss to the world, I am glad to see the immense outpouring of love and respect for Bart and to know that his life so touched the lives of so many special people. He was a rare and shining individual and will be sincerely missed.
Dear Allison and family,
It was with sadness that I heard about Bart’s passing. I was pleased to get the chance to visit with you and Bart a month before he died. He reminded me that I gave him allergy shots when he was a kid, something I don’t remember, but I guess when you are a kid, you remember who the poker was. I didn’t really know Bart in his adult years, but he visited with me like he knew me for years, which is a testament to his easy going personality and friendliness. My condolences to you and his entire family.
I want to share with you a story about Bart that I think says something about who he was. Just recently he came to my house warming party and brought a gift of children books and video games; the books for my 11 month old daughter and the games for my husband. When I thanked him for the thoughtful gift, he told me how he spent time at the bookstore discussing what books would be age appropriate for my daughter and that the ones he had chosen came highly recommended. He also spent time researching the games for my husband trying to determine which ones were the most popular and current. That was just the way he was, he always took the time to think about other people. He was one of the most genuine, sincere and giving people I have ever met, I will never forget who he was or the kind of person he was it was truly an honor to know him.
Bart was a wonderful friend to our son Marc and we were lucky to have spent time with him over the past few years. He was a truly remarkable young man whose outgoing and fun loving nature will sorely be missed by all who knew him.
Bart was always such an easy person to be around. It did not matter if it had been 3 days or 3 years since I’d last seen him- it was if no time had passed. A great sense of humor and a loving and open disposition made Bart a truly remarkable person. I remember him with a smile and salute him with cheese cake! Love, Carol Wirth
Bart’s sense of humor and smile are the things I remember most about him, in high school. Looking at things from a different point of view and love of adventure made him a special part of our class at PHS. He will be missed. I think of him and all the church classes we were in together when I return home. I saw pictures in the sanctuary last time I was home and it made me laugh, Pastor Shirley and PQ trying to make us think for ourselves. The prayers of my family are sent to your family.
Thinking of you all. With love, Katie, Bill and Henry
Bart was a very special friend in my youth. So many of my Franklin Fox memories include my buddy Bart.
Lots of good times and laughter! My thoughts and prayers to his family.
Looking for Brian McKiernan. I was his “big brother” while I was a student at WSU. Would love to connect with him again. My phone is 509-979-0483. Look forward to hearing from him. Sorry to learn of Bart’s passing. Steve
Lisa, Shelly et al, I’m so sorry to read about Bart. Over the years I have laughed a thousand times remembering all of the private jokes Bart and I shared and the stories he would tell me about the two of you; he was so fond of you both. The road trips to Canada, movie nights, and of course Ally McBeal! Bart was the life of every party; the way his eyes would light up, when he had a something brilliant or witty to say. Bart was the consummate gentleman, and his manners were legendary; no social indignities escaped his crystal gaze! LOL! Bart made my 20’s the most memorable time of my life. I will never forget him and I’m thankful for the memories.