Keith, a resident of Custer, South Dakota, was a retired Associate Professor of Biology from South Dakota State University. He had a lifelong interest in and appreciation of woodcarving but did not become actively involved in carving until about 20 years prior to his retirement. Before that time, he taught himself by gleaning whatever information he could from reading Chip Chats. He was particularly influenced early on by the work of Andy Anderson and Claude Bolton. Only after attending a variety of classes and seminars did carving become a serious endeavor. Following his retirement, carving became his full-time hobby. While he enjoyed carving a wide range of subjects in a variety of styles, caricature carving remained Keith’s first love.

Keith taught carving classes on a regular basis during the summer season at the National Museum of Woodcarving and by invitation from various carving clubs throughout the United States. Beginning in 1986, he served as the Carver-in-Residence at the Museum in Custer. He was elected to CCA membership in 1993.

Keith passed away on September 3, 2022.