Keith was born on October 8, 1962, in Lexington, Nebraska, to William L. and Lola I. (Hansen) Debban. He was baptized on November 11, 1962, and later confirmed on May 13, 1977, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood, Nebraska.
Keith grew up in Elwood alongside his three older sisters, Valorie, Lisa, and Jan, and his younger brother, Jeff. He attended Elwood Public School, graduating with the Class of 1981. During his school years, Keith was involved in sports, band, school plays, and numerous other activities. Outside of school, some of his favorite memories were made hunting with his brother Jeff, spending time with friends, and working on cars.
In May 1986, Keith enlisted in the United States Navy and completed his training at Great Lakes Naval Base near Chicago. Over the course of his career, Keith’s dedication and leadership carried him from enlisted service to Chief Petty Officer in September 1996 before he was commissioned as an Ensign in 1997. His military career included tours of duty aboard the USS McClusky, USS George Philip, USS Nimitz, and USS Fitzgerald, as well as service at Fleet Combat Training Center, Pacific. He received numerous honors and recognitions throughout his career and retired from the Navy in August 2007 following 21 years of distinguished service.
While building his military career and raising his family, Keith also pursued his education, earning his bachelor’s degree from Chapman University in 1994.
Keith married Lisa Dobkins in 1991, and they made their home in San Diego, California, for many years. Together they welcomed three children: their son, Chandler, and twin daughters, Hannah and Sarah.
Of everything Keith accomplished throughout his life, being a father was one of the roles that defined him most. His three children were an enormous source of love and pride for him, and each of them carried pieces of their dad with them as they grew into adults. Keith was immensely proud of his twin daughters, Hannah and Sarah, now 24, and his son Chandler, age 30.
In May 2026, just months before Keith’s passing, Hannah graduated from the University of Portland with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She was also a Division I collegiate volleyball athlete, fulfilling a dream her dad had carried for her for years. Keith loved watching Hannah play volleyball, and seeing her reach the Division I level was something he had always hoped for and took tremendous pride in.
Sarah has built a life defined by the same loyalty and devotion to family that Keith valued so deeply. Alongside working full time, she has remained an important source of care and support
for Chandler. She has excelled at art and enjoys cake decorating and being a full time dog mom to the love of her life Jack, who was gifted to her by Keith.
No matter the distance between them, Keith loved and missed his children deeply after returning to Nebraska. Hannah, Sarah, and Chandler were not simply names in the story of his life; they were his children, his greatest source of pride, and a part of him that will continue long after his death.
Keith had many passions throughout his life. He was a devoted Nebraska Cornhuskers fan and held season tickets to home football games, which he enjoyed sharing with family and friends. His love of motorcycles was another constant. Keith and his brother Jeff built a Harley-Davidson together, and Keith would go on to own and love many more throughout his life.
While living in San Diego, Keith became involved in the motorcycle community and formed friendships that lasted for decades. After returning to Nebraska, he connected with the Nebraska chapter of the Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club. He treasured the time spent with the men he affectionately called his “brothers” and participated in poker runs and other events that raised money to help others. Those friendships became particularly meaningful following the death of his younger brother, Jeff, in 2013. His brothers stood beside Keith throughout the years that followed and have continued to show their love and support for his family after his passing.
Keith lived a life marked by service, loyalty, strength, humor, and an extraordinary devotion to the people he loved. He served his country for more than two decades, built lifelong friendships across the country, and never lost the ability to make the people around him laugh. Those who knew him will remember a man who could be strong and stubborn, generous and fiercely protective, and who would do anything for the people he considered family.
Keith was a veteran, a son, a brother, a friend, and a man who lived an extraordinary life of service. But to Hannah, Sarah, and Chandler, above everything else, he was Dad.
He was deeply loved, and he will be deeply missed.
Graveside services for Keith W. Debban will be held Wednesday, September 9, at 12:00 noon at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska.