Keith Stubblefield died on the 27th of April 2022 at his home in Litchfield, Connecticut. Keith was 55 years old. Keith is survived by his beloved husband and soulmate, Carlyle Kloter; his mother, Virginia Stubblefield; his sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Kelvin Nichols; his brother and sister-in-law, Phillip and Karen Stubblefield; and his niece, Amanda Stubblefield. Keith was preceded in death by his father, James Warren Stubblefield. 

Keith was born in Homestead, Florida. He spent part of his childhood, from 1974 to 1976, in the Philippines, where his father was based in the Air Force, and spent his formative years in Beavercreek, Ohio (home of the Battling Beavers). He graduated from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1989 and moved to Philadelphia, where he worked in the publishing and non-profit sectors. Keith maintained a connection to Philadelphia through his ongoing support of the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia Flower Show, and many of Philly’s finest restaurants. He even ran the Philadelphia Marathon—twice!

Keith moved to Brooklyn, New York in 2000 and began working at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Keith moved to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in 2003, where he earned a Certificate of Horticulture. Keith continued to love plants and gardening and maintained an immaculate garden with his husband at his Connecticut home.

Keith’s most prolific career role was as Brooklyn Academy of Music’s (BAM) Chief Financial Officer from November of 2006 until March 2020. Keith advocated tirelessly on behalf of BAM and the Brooklyn arts community. He was a founding member of the Downtown Brooklyn Arts Alliance, treasurer of the Fulton Area Business District, an early booster of the IDNYC program, chaired the Cultural Institutions Group’s DEI committee, partnered with various neighborhood associations, and worked with numerous council members and elected officials to champion BAM and its cultural peers.

One of Keith’s proudest career achievements was his contributions to the BAM Fisher Building, which opened in September 2012. Keith led a years-long capital project with intense devotion and focus. He succeeded in creating a sustainable, accessible, LEED Gold-certified community hub that serves artists and neighbors alike. The “Stubblefield Steps” in the BAM Fisher Building were dedicated to Keith when he retired from BAM on March 12, 2020.

Keith’s life was committed to service, community, and equality. He shined brightest by treating everyone with his special brand of generosity and was known for always selecting the perfect gift—be it a six-pack of beer for his postal person, a bottle of bourbon for the parking garage attendant, or high-thread-count pajamas for Carlyle.

The care and devotion he applied to his career pales in comparison to the commitment he expressed to his friends. Keith was an amazing friend, as anyone lucky enough to be close to him will tell you. His legacy in New York will be that of a consummate professional, an outstanding colleague and leader in his field, and a brilliant and dedicated friend. His legacy in life is one of a loving husband, proud cat father, and eternal optimist. May we all live life like Keith. 

RIP husband, son, brother, and friend.

If you would like to make a donation in Keith’s honor, please consider these organizations and make a donation in his name

• BAM
• Memorial Sloan Kettering