Keith Koster

United States Navy veteran and Saratoga Springs resident Keith J. Koster graduated from Shenendehowa High School in 1980 and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from May 1982 to April 1988.   Mr. Koster went to boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois and trained as an Electronic Warfare Technician in Pensacola, Florida, being named “Sailor of the Month” before joining his ship the USS Suribachi (AE-21) at Naval Weapon Station, Earle, New Jersey.

In recognition of his exemplary military service, Mr. Koster received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons before being discharged Honorably as a Petty Officer 1st  Class (EW1).

A three-time cancer survivor, Mr. Koster recently completed the Centennial Challenge – hiking and summiting all 46 high peaks in New York State with the American Legion Flag – to celebrate the Legion’s 100th anniversary. In March 2019, the American Legion’s national magazine featured Mr. Koster on its cover in recognition of his incredible accomplishment. An American Legion lifetime member, Mr. Koster serves as Chaplain of American Legion Adirondack Post 70 and is a 2015 graduate of the American Legion College.

Mr. Koster graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He enjoys mountaineering and ballroom dancing in his spare time.

This October, Mr. Koster celebrates 34 years of loving marriage to his beautiful wife Cindy. They have two children and one grandchild.