Keith Kerr
 Brigadier
General Keith H. Kerr entered the U.S. Army as a Private
at Fort Ord, California, on 21 September 1953. After
completing basic and advanced training, he served with
the 513th Military Intelligence Group in Germany during
the Cold War. Upon release from active duty, he continued
to serve in the U. S. Army Reserve and was commissioned
a First Lieutenant in June 1960. His principal assignments
were with the 228th Military Intelligence Detachment
(Division), Company B, 12th Special Forces, the 91st
Maneuver Training Command, the 351st Civil Affairs Command,
the 419th Military Intelligence Detachment (Strategic),
and the 221st Military Police Brigade. He also was on
the staff and faculty of the Sixth US Army Intelligence
School (6A ITAAS).
General Kerr is a graduate of the Intelligence Orientation
Course, the Imagery Interpretation Course, the Army
Intelligence Advance Course, the Special Forces Officer
Course, the Civil Affairs Advance Course, the Inspector
General Course, the Command and General Staff College,
and the U. S. Army War College.
He retired from the U. S. Army Reserve in 1986 with
the rank of Colonel and was commissioned in the California
State Military Reserve (California National Guard) on
15 March 1986, where his assignments were Inspector
General and later, Chief of Staff. He was appointed
Commanding General, Northern Area Command, CSMR, with
headquarters at Alameda Naval Supply Depot, Alameda,
CA and promoted to Brigadier General on 21 February
1991. He held this position until reassigned to State
Headquarters on 31 July 1995. General Kerr retired on
1 June 1996 after 43 years of service to the United
States and the State of California.
General Kerr has been active in professional, community,
and church affairs in San Francisco where he has served
as board member and president of Canon Kip Community
House, trustee of the United Way, President of Episcopal
Charities, and President of San Francisco Higher Education
Association. He is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary, International.
In civilian life, he was employed by the San Francisco
Community College District where he was successively
faculty member of City College, Chair of the Business
Department, Dean of Instruction, and Dean of Instructional
Support and Special Assistant to the President. He retired
from the College in May 1995 and continued to teach
as adjunct faculty. The Rev. Dr. Alvin Gomer, Episcopal
priest and licensed psychologist, was his partner of
26 years. Dr. Gomer died in 2000.
General Kerr is a graduate of the University of California,
Berkeley and has a Master’s Degree from San Francisco
State University.
Among his decorations, General Kerr holds the Legion
of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation
Medal, the Army Reserve Medal, the California Medal
of Merit, and the California Commendation Medal. He
has received the Distinguished Service Award of the
Association of the United States Army and is an Honorary
Member of the U. S. Army Reserve Civil Affairs Corps
Regiment. He wears the Special Forces Tab and the Parachutist
Badge.
He makes his home in Santa Rosa, CA and is Chairman
of General Rail Corporation.
TO TOP |
