We remember those we’ve lost in the stories we tell about them. This website is dedicated to stories about Keith A. Lehmann.
Initially, it will document the creation of a graphic novel titled “The Thief, the Captain, and the River.” This fable was penned by Keith’s uncle, Jim Foster, in response to meeting Keith’s friends and hearing their stories about Keith.
We’ll show you the process of making that publication from first sketches to finished art, the inspirations for the characters and the situations depicted, and about the people who put this together.
We’ll also provide a place where you can share your stories and memories of Keith.
At the end of that process, we’ll publish a comic book. Come back to this site from time to time to check on our progress. (Go to “Blog” for updates and appearances of the creators.) Hopefully, the book will be completed sometime before Tim dies (LOL).
About Keith
Keith died in 2019 at the age of 40. He loved anime, cosplay, gaming, photography, Civil War reenacting, Dr. Who … and Pocky.
He had experienced struggles in his life (he was a recovering alcoholic), but had found strength and boundless joy in communities of shared passion for both history and fantasy.
He went to Gettysburg with his reenactor buddies twice, once at the largest reenactment in history (1998’s 135th anniversary of the battle), and later — the year before he died — he was honored by being appointed the color-bearer for his troop.
Keith was a tireless volunteer at JAFAX (Japanese Animation and Fan Art Expo), the premiere Anime and Cosplay Fandom event in West Michigan, for 20 years! He founded the Anime and Asian Culture Club at Muskegon Community College and was one of the key members of the group that created Kogan Con, now based in Grand Haven, Michigan. He was regularly seen at other events such as Shuto Con, Grand Rapids Comic Con, and S.S. Kaizoku Con. All of these events he documented, creating dozens of photo books that are now a tangible, permanent history of those groups.
As a cosplayer, he was particularly fond of Steampunk, which combined Victorian Era technology (lots of GEARS!) with science fiction fantasy. (Think Abraham Lincoln with a gatling gun arm.)
He was known as Pockyman, for his almost endless supply of the Japanese snack which he gave to everyone he encountered at anime and cosplay conventions.
Most of all, he greatly loved his family and friends. And he, in turn, was loved greatly.
His grave marker has four inscribed words:
Reenactor • Cosplayer • Mentor • Friend
About The Story
At Keith’s funeral, Jim Foster was moved by the heartfelt tributes to Keith from his nerdy friends, from Cosplayers — with red, blue and green hair — to Civil War Reenactors — the men in full dress uniforms and women in bonnets and hoop skirts.
Some, clearly uncomfortable with public speaking, still felt strongly compelled to share Keith’s compassion and mentorship of those in need of a friend. It was a powerful experience no one who was present will ever forget.
Jim (a retired Lutheran minister who now lives on a river and makes cool stuff – see “The Creators”) remembered a story he had heard long ago at a church service, a fable about a ship and a crew who rescue the broken among us. Jim envisioned Keith as a person rescued and healed … who in turn becomes a rescuer. And his Cosplay and Reenactor friends as the transforming community.
An Invitation
The stories continue. If you have a memory or story about Keith that you would like to share, go to “Contact” and post your reminiscences. Although we can’t use everything, we promise to read everything you post and you will at the very least be acknowledged in a list of contributors.
— Tim Lehmann