Dr. Patrick J. Keem - Biography and Resume

Candidate for Erie County Legislator District 13
- (Aurora, Colden, Collins, Concord, Orchard Park)

Biography

A lifelong resident of Western New York, Dr. Patrick Keem has witnessed the decline of the economic viability of our region. A Dentist for twenty-eight years, he has seen numerous patients acquire a local education, only to be forced to leave the area to find employment. As a husband, father and grandfather, he became concerned that his own family members may also one day leave because our government has raised fees and taxes that have driven many businesses to other states. The Erie County budget fiasco was the final issue that led Dr. Keem to the decision to get involved for change in government.

Pat was born in Buffalo July 29th, 1950. He was raised by his parents Sanford "Mike" and Clara Chmiel Keem. He has an older sister Marcia and a twin brother Michael. His dad grew up on a dairy farm in Sheldon, New York and was an Army Infantry Veteran of WW II. He worked thirty-eight years as a laborer at R.T. Jones Lumber Company in North Tonawanda. His mom was raised in Buffalo and graduated from South Park High School. She worked as a cook in the cafeteria of Maryvale Elementary School in Cheektowaga. Even though Sanford only attended school through the eighth grade, he and Clara valued education for their children and they went without many things to send them to private high schools.

Dr. Keem worked many jobs as a youth. He delivered newspapers from age twelve through sixteen. From age fourteen through sixteen he was a golf caddy at The Park Country Club in the summers and worked at a car wash during the winter. He played guitar and sang vocals for several area Rock Bands until age twenty. At age sixteen he began nine years of working summers and school vacations as a laborer in the lumberyard where his dad worked. He used his earnings to pay his own way through college and dental school.

Dr. Keem graduated from Canisius College in 1972 with a B.A. degree in Biology (pre-medicine). He then attended the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and graduated in 1976 with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He returned to UB and attained his Dental CEO degree from the School of Management in June of 2000. Following graduation from dental school, he practiced for one year in Perry, New York. In 1977 he opened his own dental practice, Aurora Dental Care, in East Aurora and practiced there for twenty-seven years until selling his business in April of 2004.

Pat is a devoted father and family man whose married to Deborah and they live in Colden. He has four children, Patrick, Jason, Jennifer and Sean. He also has four stepchildren, Britton, Brandon, Christine and Garrett as well as three grandsons, Sean Jr., Joseph and Hunter. Pat and Deborah are active members of the Wesleyan Church of Hamburg.

Dr. Keem has a long record of community service. He is a member of the East Aurora Kiwanis Club, East Aurora Moose Lodge #370 and the Canisius College Cage Club. As "The Voice of The Blue Devils", he is the public address announcer for the East Aurora High School Varsity and Junior Varsity football games. He has been a youth baseball coach for thirty-one years and is currently the manager of the East Aurora Collegiate (18-21 year old men) County of Erie Baseball Association team. Dr. Keem was honored with his induction into the East Aurora Baseball Hall of Fame in August of 2000, following twenty-two years as a softball team player and manager and a youth baseball team coach and sponsor. He also served as a Boy Scout Troop #599 committeeman for many years as well as being a former East Aurora Little Loop Football coach. He is currently a member of the American Dental Association, The State of New York Dental Association, The Eighth District Dental Society, The Erie County Dental Society and the University of New York at Buffalo Dental Alumni Association.

Having lived in Western New York his entire life, "Doc" Keem has a special place in his heart for the wonderful people of this region. He is now ready to be their representative as the District 13 Legislator in Erie County Government. His experience as both a lumberyard union member for nine years, as well as a small business owner for twenty-seven years, gives him a unique ability to understand issues of both labor and management. He knows how to work well with employees and understands their needs, but he also realizes what the requirements of business are to make them successful. Years of government waste and high taxes have driven people and business from Erie County. Dr. Keem pledges to work hard to establish an environment for businesses to create new jobs, which will give our children and grandchildren an opportunity to remain in Western New York. His goal is to return Erie County Government back to the people and end "Business as usual".

Dr. Keem can be contacted at 941-3883 or e-mail him at Pat@PatKeem.com

Resume - Dr. Patrick J. Keem