Charles Keith McCarty, age 83, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, December 27, surrounded by his wife, Patricia Sharp, his daughter, Brenda Buckingham, and his son, Sean McCarty.

Keith was born in Monon, Indiana in 1940.  He attended Westminster University in Salt Lake City, UT and the University of Montana, achieving bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology respectively.  Keith worked as both a psychologist at and the Superintendent of Boulder River School and Hospital for developmentally disabled individuals for several years then worked as an independent grant writer.

In 1989, the Montana Hospital Association based in Helena hired Keith to lead the medical assistance facility (MAF) demonstration project with the stated purpose of creating a model for a financially sustainable, rural hospital that provides low intensity inpatient, clinical and emergency care services.  In the project's first 2 years, facilities in Circle, Jordan, Terry, Ekalaka and Culbertson qualified to become MAF facilities.  By 1997, there were 15 MAF facilities throughout Montana.  Keith worked closely with Senator Max Baucus and his staff to craft the Critical Access Hospital legislation; a small provision included in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 which expanded the Montana MAF model to all 50 states.  This legislation passed August 5, 1997, and currently, there are more than 1,500 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States, providing hospital care in small, rural communities which might otherwise be without medical services.  Keith was averse to the spotlight and quietly retired on December 31, 1999.  In recognition of his 10 years of service on this project, Senator Max Baucus and his staff crafted a touching tribute to Keith which was read by Senator Baucus on the floor of the U.S. Senate on March 9, 2000.

Keith was an intellectual with a wonderful sense of humor.  He had extensive knowledge of literature, cinema, science, music, history and sports.  He was an engaging storyteller who would leave his guests both riveted and in stitches.  He amassed an extensive collection of audio equipment and classical, jazz, blues and rock albums.  Keith converted a bedroom into a listening studio and would spend hours in there enjoying and analyzing music.  A lifetime Boston Celtics fan, he spoke passionately of the legacies of Bill Russell and Larry Bird and the promise of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Keith and his wife, Pat, loved to travel throughout the Pacific Northwest, frequently visiting Spokane, Hood River and Portland to attend operas and ballets, partake in wineries, and enjoy eclectic retail shops.  Dining was the foundation of these trips, whether at trendy restaurants, pizza joints, diners, or roadside grills.  Keith and Pat would return home with great memories and a bounty of their favorite items like small batch granola, fresh jam and amazing seafood.

Keith had a warm and playful relationship with his children and grandchildren. He and his daughter, Brenda, talked often, sharing their joys, accomplishments and vulnerabilities.  It was a truly special bond.  Keith and his son, Sean, were twins.  Same look, same voice, same sense of humor, same thought process, same love and admiration for each other.  Keith's grandchildren knew he would greet them with a wry smile, always joking with and teasing them.  It was his way.  Trips to Helena meant ice cream and rides at the Carousel or "get anything you want" pizza excursions.

In his later years, Keith suffered from heart and kidney issues which deprived him of his mobility.  He felt blessed by the generosity of his many friends and neighbors who provided him with assistance including Lois, Bob, Mandy, Denise, Len, Theresa and Dan, Carmel, Kate, George, Sara, Chuck, Gretchen, Blair and Janice.

Keith is survived by his wife, Pat, his daughter, Brenda, his son, Sean, his stepsons, Geoff and Dale, his 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Keith requested no memorial service, and none is scheduled at this time.

Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family.