- Brian O'Keefe's family is raising funds for Wasatch Backcountry Rescue's K-9 team.
- O'Keefe, a snow biker, died in a Feb. 22 avalanche near Midway's Snake Creek.
- The fundraiser honors his love for dogs and supports volunteer rescue efforts.
SANDY — Brian O'Keefe, 45, of Salt Lake City, has been identified by family as the snow biker who was killed in an avalanche Sunday near the Snake Creek area of Midway.
O'Keefe left behind his family and his beloved golden retriever, Maggie. His family describes him as genuine, big-hearted, a fan of outdoor sports and a dog lover.
This week, the O'Keefe family launched a GoFundMe campaign* supporting Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, including the K-9 team that recovered O'Keefe's remains from the snow.
"We are all devastated by the news, and I think at the end of the day, this is something we can shed a little bit of light on," Kelly O'Keefe, Brian's younger brother, said. "(We're trying to) do good in Brian's honor and really support the efforts that helped our family and the other unfortunate families that are probably going to be in similar situations in the future."
Kelly O'Keefe said on Sunday, his family received a call that Brian was missing after an avalanche near the Snake Creek area of Midway. Rescuers called off the search Sunday night. On Monday morning, the Wasatch Backcountry Rescue team was dispatched. He said within an hour, the team's K‑9s found his brother's remains.
The O'Keefe family watched video of the search from Chopper 5.
"And when we saw that one video in particular, it was a really heartwarming when you saw the dogs come in and dig in, and you could tell that they had found Brian," Kelly O'Keefe said. "It was really nice to see, with his love for dogs, and just seeing the work that the dogs do up there. It was just a really, really incredible thing."
The O'Keefe family contacted Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and learned that its teams are made up of skilled volunteers funded by donations. Wasatch Backcountry Rescue operates under Wasatch County Search and Rescue. The O'Keefe family felt it was the right organization to support — one that reflected Brian. O'Keefe's love for the mountains and for dogs.
"I think Brian would think it was pretty special," Kelly O'Keefe said.
Margie Van Komen, president of Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, told KSL this is the first time a victim's family has organized a fundraiser on its behalf. She said she is touched and grateful that during a time of tragedy, this family is creating something positive out of their experience.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
