He’s
All In
K
eith Schonberger has developed an impressive resume: From teaching a computer to solve a Rubik’s Cube on his way to a bachelor of science degree in computer science at Michigan State University, including a brief software engineering internship with the Boeing Company, on to MSU College of Law, where he earned his J.D. and found his calling in patent law. With almost nine years in practice — including almost six years with Troy-based Young Basile — Keith is now a shareholder in the law firm. A two-career family today, Keith and Tara met at MSU in what Keith briefly describes as sorority girl meets fraternity boy in a Battle of the Bands during Greek Week. “Tara is the real brains in the family,” says Keith. With a master’s degree in clinical laboratory science and more than a dozen initials behind her name
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that certify her hard-earned credentials, Tara has worked in the Blood Bank and HLA Laboratories at Beaumont Health for 12 years. Reflecting on the challenges of work in balance with family homelife, Keith describes coming through COVID as a remarkable year of growth and reawakening. “COVID has tested every aspect of what we consider to be normal, but the concept of togetherness and community — doing something greater than yourself with other people — has always been a focal point of my life. Today, I can say that I’ve seen my family, my colleagues and our community grow stronger, more resilient and more creative together.” ON FAMILY LIFE IN THE TIME OF COVID Q: Keith, please give us a snapshot of your family over the past year. How have you fared?
Keith Schonberger welcomes all to Federation’s NEXTGen Detroit. VIVIAN HENOCH SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
Keith Schonberger: Honestly, we’ve been wonderful — blessed to be healthy and happy — but we crave the same things everyone craves: getting back together with family and friends. I’ve been working from home for more than a year, spending loads of time with Tara and our children. Eli is 5 and will enter kindergarten in the fall; Adam is 3; and Leah — born shortly before the pandemic began — is a year and a half. Our boys were physically in school at Somerset Academy in Troy last year and did well. Eli is learning to read and write and is doing such an incredible job on both, and his brother is quickly becoming a reader, too. We also recently moved to a new home in Rochester Hills in a beautiful area that is strategically nearby grandparents. With Tara’s parents in Romeo and my folks in West Bloomfield, we
JOHN HARDWICK
OUR COMMUNITY
have some daycare support, and everyone is vaccinated at this point. It’s easy to dwell on what we’ve missed this … but when I think about it, there’s so much I’ve gained in the time. Time is the one resource we all have. And you never get time back. Being home with Tara and the kids gave me the time to catch more of those precious little moments we might ordinarily miss. ON JEWISH FAMILY BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION Q: You have been an active community volunteer with Federation for more than a decade — additionally serving on the boards of MSU Hillel and Tamarack Camps. In what ways has the Jewish community been a strong part of your upbringing? KS: My family’s involvement with Federation and its partner agencies starts back
