David Lee Keith

David Lee Keith, retired professor and extension entomologist at UNL, dedicated husband, father, and friend, passed away February 4 at age 78, due to complications from diabetes.

He was born to Wendell & Verdeen Keith of Amboy, Minnesota on December 7th, 1940. Survivors include Brenda, wife of 58 years, daughters Becky (Dr. Mark) Coffelt, Jennifer Keith, Melissa (Shawn) Michaud, Rachele Keith; granddaughters Hallie (Tyler) Eby, Polly and Piper Michaud, and sister Sandra Keith.

David Lee Keith was first and foremost a farm boy; son to Wendell and Verdeen; a brother to Sandra; grandson and nephew to Farmer Keith and His Musical Kiddies; a Minnesota Swede (but also German and Norwegian); 

Dave was husband to Brenda for nearly 58 years; a father to four strong-willed women; a father-in-law to Shawn and Mark; an uncle who read books to four amazing nieces and one wonderful nephew; a cousin to oh-so-many great people. He loved his friends, family, and dogs more deeply than you can ever know.

He was a modern renaissance man who always loved learning and trying new things; a professor and extension man; a spontaneous lecturer on random facts, and a mischievous jokester. He founded the 40th Street Honeybees for World Peas gardening club with his granddaughters.

Dave was a lover of literature, an amazing storyteller and gifted writer. He was a prolific gardener who hated to spray so his yard would be full of insects for photography. He loved the smell of freshly mown clover in the morning air. 

David always had a crock of sourdough starter on the counter. He owned every hunting, fishing, and gardening gadget under the sun, books galore, and kept an impossibly messy desk.

David loved his dogs as much as his humans and hoped to have his doggies’ ashes scattered near his.

Dave’s Celebration of Life was held February 8 at 2 pm at the Mill on Innovation Campus.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Capital Humane Society.