Keith Victor Abramson

Keith Victor Abramson, 72, of Bakersfield California, passed away peacefully on September 2nd, 2025, at the Divine Timing Hospice in the city of Tehachapi. He was born on August 8, 1955, at Norwalk Hospital, in Norwalk, Connecticut. Keith was the third son of the late Leonard and Ethel Abramson. He will be fondly remembered, especially for his outrageous sense of humor. Certainly, by his older brother Paul – as well as the remaining members of his family (all of whom wish to remain anonymous).

Keith grew up in Norwalk and graduated from Norwalk High School in 1971. He then attended Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Besides being the Editor of the Tulane student newspaper (The Tulane Hullabaloo), Keith also spent time devoted to Cajun cooking. His expertise was especially evident in his preparation of alligator sausage.

Then after graduating from Tulane in 1975, Keith pursued his law degree at the University of Connecticut. In his last year of law school, Keith also worked in the Trust department of Connecticut Bank and Trust. After graduating in 1978, Keith was admitted to the Bar in both New York and Connecticut.

Shortly thereafter, Keith moved to Sacramento, California where he became an Assistant Vice President of Cal West Insurance. As a newbie Northern Californian, Keith then put a priority on exploring the artefacts of California Gold Rush, devoting himself, for example, to panning for gold at the South Yuba River. All went well until he decided to use a metal detector, while simultaneously wearing a holster containing two Taylor & Co. Cattleman six-shooters. Local law enforcement was not amused.

Keith did eventually marry – and had two children – but the marriage ended in divorce. Around the same time Keith also returned to Connecticut where he established a private law practice devoted to Elder Law. That, in turn, lead to another move –to Harlem this time – where his focus was now on legal issues relating to life insurance. But when opportunity opened in Santa Barbara, California, Keith relocated yet again.

Ultimately Keith was drawn to the Mojave Desert. He had always been a motorcycle enthusiast, especially Indian motorcycles – and wanted to pursue that pastime in earnest, along with his love of lepidoptery (capturing and preserving butterflies).

Toward the end of his life, Keith chose to put all his energies into fiction. Both living and writing it, largely influenced by the novel, A Confederacy of Dunces. Keith originally became acquainted with this book while he was an undergraduate at Tulane. New Orleans is the locale of the university and the focal point of the book itself. Keith even went so far as to tattoo – across his shoulder blades– the most famous line in the book. All dunces are in a confederacy against me.

Living on the edge of the Mojave Desert was his way of returning to the Godhead.

Friends and family are encouraged to reflect upon on Keith’s passing. He was one of a kind and will be dearly missed, especially on Halloween.