Keith Robert von Barkenhagen of Cortona, Italy, passed away on February 15, 2021.  He is survived by his wife Tania LaBounty von Barkenhagen, his mother Christine Barkenhagen, his father and stepmother Michael & Jennifer Barkenhagen, his brothers, Aaron and Ryan Barkenhagen, and his three sisters, Shannon Lance, Annette Mahoney, and Jessica Schield.

Keith was an overachiever since childhood; he was an epicurean who loved Labrador retrievers, travelling the world, lengthy and fact-filled debates, and strategy games. Together with Tania, he travelled throughout the United States and Europe and traipsed the globe from Hong Kong, Fiji & the Seychelles to Turkey, Russia, Panama, and elsewhere. He would come home from each with a love and appreciation for the culture and the food, eager to share with those around him. He loved being surrounded by friends and family, sharing stories and food. Keith loved to dig in to learn the building blocks and processes behind everything, from food to investment markets. He dabbled in stocks, futures, and digital currency, and at one point or another he roasted his own coffee, brewed his own beer, fermented his own wine, grew food in the garden, and eventually pressed and blended his own olive oil and developed his own balsamic flavors.

Keith’s true heart was that of an entrepreneur and was happiest when he was his own boss. He was a successful programmer in his early career but found his passion in Italian olive oil.  He trained as a world class olive oil sommelier and he and his wife built a successful business, L'arte del Olivo, bringing award winning, fresh olive oil and balsamic vinegars from Italy to their many clients around the world.  Their passion took the form of farm-to-table.  He will be sorely missed by his family and all who loved him.

Details of any celebration of his life will be forthcoming.