Fred Keyser, leading man in El Paso local theater, has died

The El Paso arts community has lost a major force behind local theater.

Fred Keyser died February 18 after complications from surgery, according to Facebook posts by his family.

His wife Kate, who partnered with him on and off the stage, posted, “My life, my reason for existence, my soulmate, my man of 38 years, Fred died. So, for everyone out there who has someone with them, tell them how precious they are now. My time with him was amazing, I am not sure how I will be able to make it without him.”

A memorial page has been created in Keyser’s honor. His wife plans “a service of singing and remembrance and puns” to remember him, and that includes an invitation to the members of the Gilbert and Sullivan theater company.

“Nothing would make me happier than for the G n S people to come and sing some songs! Fred loved being in the Gilbert and Sullivan co. with me. We had many great memories …,” she wrote.

Aside from musical theater, Fred Keyser directed and starred in hundreds of presentations at the El Paso Playhouse and KIDS-N-CO, the children’s theater company.

Fred, his wife Kate pointed out, loved helping people express themselves.

“Fred loved theater, he loved seeing people create as much as he loved creating.”

Watch the Keyser’s enthusiasm and love for theater during an interview with anchor Denise Olivas on ABC-7 at Noon recorded February 10, 2014. The play was “Deathtrap.”