Hans Joachim Keil Farewelled
The life of Hans Joachim ‘Joe’ Keil was celebrated and honoured in a state funeral held on Saturday for the former Samoan statesman, who was also a well-known philanthropist, prominent businessman and pioneering broadcaster. The Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, and his Masiofo, Her Highness Fa’amausili Leinafo, paid their respects.
They were joined by former Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and his Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia Tamasese, Members of the Council of Deputies, Cabinet ministers, members of Parliament, members of the business community and many more whose lives were touched by the late businessman’s generosity.
Described by his wife, Celine Keil, as a complicated man who was loving and loyal to his friends and family, Mr. Keil manifested many of those complexities into a very diverse and ambitious career.
He was a military man, a pilot, a politician and a commercial broadcaster. However, the most revered position he held in the eyes of the community and loved ones was his high aptitude in the role of family man.
His Highness Tui Atua described Joe as “a truly beautiful human being” and if one wanted to identify what defined Joe as a husband, father, son and brother, it could be embodied in the relationship that he had with his son Nathan, who by all accounts was his best friend and side kick.
Wife Mrs Keil also attested to the famous, unique bond that existed between her husband and their only son, who was born with Down syndrome, but became the joy of their family – being the child that brought out the softer side of a tough, very driven and focused businessman.
She also spoke of how Joe was proud to raise very loving, intelligent and independent thinking women in his three daughters Violette, Bella and Katrina, and joked that perhaps the “independent thinking” part sometimes worked against him but nonethe-less he was a hero to his daughters.
Mr Keil’s generosity of spirit was perhaps what he was most well known for and he was not one to boast, according to his daughters.