1945 – 2015

WILTON — Keith Barry Shoaps, M.D., J.D., 70, of Wilton, died peacefully on Friday, Nov. 27, in his home in Wilton, following a courageous battle with glioblastoma with his family at his side.

He was born in Detroit, Mich., to Esai and Anna Shoaps. He went to Cass Technical High School, where he was a national merit scholar. After graduating from Wayne State University, he attended the University of Michigan medical school. He did his advanced training at Harvard, Massachusetts General Hospital and became a board certified anesthesiologist. He later earned a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell School of Law and practiced medical malpractice for several years.

He loved cars and motorcycles. He was an avid fly-fisherman and hunter. He took several world record bears with a single-shot handgun during his many trips to Alaska. He loved politics and enjoyed swimming regularly. He served on the Wilton Planning Board and was the town’s health officer.

The family lived in Boxford, Mass., Eagan, Minn., and finally back to New England, where he practiced medicine at Franklin Memorial in Farmington.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Katharine Nerath Shoaps; his daughter, Valerie Shoaps and her companion, John McMahon, in California; his son, Eric Kenneth Shoaps, of Portland; brother, Robert Shoaps and wife, Caroline, of East Lansing, Mich.; sister, Janice J. Walker of Ann Arbor, Mich.; and sister, Jill Shoaps Bird of Jackson, Mich. His nieces and nephews include Dr. Robin Shoaps, Fairbanks, Alaska, Dr. Jay Shoaps of Duluth, Minn., and Laura Shoaps, Esq. of Berkley, Calif., Megan Bird of Battle Creek, Mich.; his cousin, Gunther Brieger and his son, Gunner, of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; and his brother-in-law, Gustav Nerath of Royal Oak, Mich.; and his dear friends, Jack and Deb Ellis, John and Maggie Hall and Cliff Brown.

He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Kenneth D. Shoaps, a silver star recipient in the U.S. Army; and his first perfect dog, Abby, who still brought tears to his eyes.

Copy the Story Link