BG Keith H. Kerr, CSMR (Ret.)

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 of the 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.