In 1975, a chance meeting at a Big Brothers Big Sisters event set in motion a relationship that would span five decades. Keith and Ted, matched as Big Brother and Little Brother, are celebrating an extraordinary 50-year friendship. Their brotherhood has profoundly shaped both of their lives and remains strong even to this day.
Their story began just a week before Keith’s ninth birthday. Raised in a single-parent household in Foster City, Keith and his brother struggled to find a male role model. Their mother, who did the best to support her two sons, signed them up for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
Ted, a World Champion wrist wrestler turned financial planning professional, didn’t plan on becoming a mentor that day. But when he was asked to step in as a last-minute participant at the event, he agreed to be matched with a kid from the waiting list. That child ended up being Keith – and they immediately sparked a connection.
Keith remembers the moment clearly: “At the end of the day, as Ted dropped me off, I asked him, ‘Ted, if they ask you to be my Big Brother, will you say yes?’” Ted’s answer came the very next week. He insisted that he be matched with Keith, beginning their bond.
Their early days were filled with the simple activities, including playing frisbee in the park, tossing baseballs, and cruising around parking lots in Ted’s Toyota as Keith steered. But the lighthearted fun ended up becoming the foundation of a much deeper connection.
Keith quickly started seeing Ted as a superhero. Ted’s influence was undeniable. “He was a world-class wrist wrestler,” Keith recalls, “and I looked at him like he was untouchable, my hero from the very first moment.”
As the years went on, their activities evolved. Ted took Keith up to his lake house in Bucks Lake, where Keith was introduced to waterskiing and hunting – sports that would define his summers and beyond. “I was a poor kid, and getting to do these exciting things was mind-blowing,” Keith says. The two would ski on Lake Tahoe’s Northstar, hike, and share countless other outdoor activities. Through it all, Keith learned to embrace a healthy lifestyle, just as Ted had long embraced.
Ted taught Keith the power of resilience and rising above challenges. When Keith was just 17, after a falling out with his own father, he moved in with Ted and family in Portola Valley. Ted’s role in Keith’s life extended to being an encourager, someone who pushed Keith to pursue his passions. He encouraged Keith to attend EMT school, ultimately leading Keith to become a full-time firefighter. Ted was there through it all, supporting Keith through career changes, marriage, and the arrival of Keith’s first child. “Ted was always there,” Keith says. “He is the most caring person I’ve met—supporting me through injuries, career changes, and everything in between.”
“Without Big Brothers Big Sisters, I don’t know where I would be in life or what kind of man I would have become,” Keith reflects. “Ted has instilled in me so many positive qualities—compassion, empathy, kindness, hard work, dedication, loyalty, respect, gratitude, and most of all, love. He taught me to pick up the underdog, to be charitable, and to always practice gratitude. He didn’t just teach me these things—he lived them every day.”
Keith felt close to Ted’s family and vice versa. Keith reminisces on the times he told Ted’s son, Eric, about his heroic rescues. Eric went on to become the fire chief of Menlo Park, with a bit of influence from Keith. Keith’s children became close to Ted, calling him ‘Uncle Ted’.
Despite busy professional lives, with Keith now working in IT Leadership at Stanford University and Ted managing his own financial planning corporation, the two have remained deeply connected. They make time for each other, meeting for lunch or simply talking about their lives. As Keith looks back on the past 50 years, he sees the profound impact Ted has had on his and others’ lives.
“Ted’s legacy is the kindness he shared, in the way he taught me to give back. I carry that with me every day,” Keith says, fondly.
As they prepare to mark their golden milestone, Keith and Ted have come far from that first event. Their long-standing relationship stands as a testament to the power of mentorship, and a shining example of how our program can change lives for the better, one Match at a time.
“You never know the impact or potential you’ll have on improving a child’s life,” Keith reflects. “I would encourage those who are looking to sign up as a mentor or enroll their child to do so.”
If Keith and Ted’s milestone story resonated with you, we encourage you to volunteer as a mentor, enroll your child in our program, or donate to support us today.