Keith Jaggard, eldest child of Jean Dale and Cedric Jaggard, was born in Nassau County, New York, on February 28, 1945. Having moved to Wisconsin as a child, he graduated from Cedar Grove High School in 1963 and attended both Wheaton College (IL) and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Keith moved through college – and his life – with a deep interest in religion, philosophy, writing, and English literature. He loved philosophical conversations, time spent reflecting in nature, and using his hands to garden, fish, and build. He spent his lifetime doing exactly this.

Keith was a true adventurer, a gifted writer, and an avid outdoorsman. His charismatic personality allowed him to connect easily with many and leave an imprint everywhere he went. And “go”, he did. Among many adventures, Keith worked at a mental health facility in the state of Washington; taught high school in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (Canada); and worked in the logging industry in British Columbia. Subsequently, Keith also lived on a commune on the East Coast; was a short-order cook and a dockworker in Key West, FL; kayaked down the Mississippi River; and ran an independent bookstore in New Orleans. (If you can believe it, there’s still more.) He then managed a hotel in Ventura, California and spent several years in Springfield, Vermont, working as a caretaker and living in a small cabin he built by hand. He spent a number of years fishing daily in “trout heaven” on the White River near Yellville, AR.

Toward the end of his life Keith moved to Zachary, LA, to be with his sister and brother-in-law, with his beloved cat in tow. Keith passed away in Zachary on June 17, 2026. He somehow managed to live many lifetimes in his 81 years.

Keith is survived by his brother Dwight, brother-in-law Marc, four nephews, and two nieces. He is remembered for his kind heart, his thoughtfulness, and his gentle spirit.

A committal service and burial will take place at 2 p.m. on June 27, 2026, at the cemetery of The First Presbyterian Church of Richfield, Wisconsin where he was confirmed as a teenager. His memory will be treasured, and his presence will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved him.