Keith T. Salter, formerly of Jonestown, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, educator, and outdoorsman, passed away peacefully on Feb. 24, 2025, at Londonderry Village, Palmyra. He is leaving behind a legacy of kindness, curiosity, adventure, and quiet strength.
Born on March 5, 1948, in Coplay, he was the son of the late Burt A. Salter Jr. and Dorothy (Theiss) Salter. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 ½ years, Sharon (Geesaman); daughter, Diane (Michael) Shearer; grandchildren, Emily and Paul; sister, Debbie (Lester) Race; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
He loved being outdoors, whether on his own two feet with a hiking stick, chainsaw, or golf club in hand, or on the serenity of water with a canoe or kayak paddle in his hands, watching songbirds and counting the raptors soaring. He earned his private pilot’s license and delighted in taking family and friends for rides. In recent years, Keith took up woodturning, crafting beautiful items for family and friends. He found peace in time spent in solitude in God’s creation, appreciation for the challenge of developing skills, and joy in the camaraderie when those same activities were shared with others.
A man of many talents and interests, and a self-labeled “Lifetime Learner,” Keith’s willingness to join in the learning made him the best kind of teacher. Keith spent 35 years as a teacher, mostly in 4th grade for the Cornwall and Ebenezer elementary schools and finished out his career by developing Ebenezer’s computer lab for students. After retiring, he traded the windowless computer lab for part-time work at Camp Swatara’s Buildings and Grounds Department, where he was rarely indoors. He “retired” again in 2019 and then continued to volunteer.
Keith’s quiet strength and steady presence touched all who knew him. His love for his students, Camp Swatara, the outdoors, and his family will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Kreamer & Lum Funeral Home & Crematory, Jonestown. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service. A private interment will be held at Grand View Memorial Park, North Annville Township.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the CJD Foundation at cjdfoundation.org/donations or 3634 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44333, or to Camp Swatara at 2905 Camp Swatara Road, Bethel, PA 19507.
