Keith Thomas Werts

1949 - 2025

Keith Thomas Werts

April 20, 1949 - June 23, 2025

Mr. Keith Thomas Werts passed away on June 23, 2025, in Spokane, Washington. He was born on April 20, 1949, in St. Edward, Nebraska, to Martin and Mildred Thomazin Werts.

Keith spent his early years on the family farm west of St. Edward before relocating with his family to Nampa, Idaho, in 1963. He graduated from Nampa High School in 1967 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving as an air traffic controller for seven years, including a tour in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970.

Following his military service, Keith pursued higher education at Boise State University and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Washington University in 1982. In 1977, he began a long career with the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller, retiring in 2005 as Operations Manager at Spokane International Airport.

Keith was active in civic life, serving on the Board of Director for Friends of Seven, Spokane's Public Broadcasting Service TV station, and on the Alumni Advisory Board to the School of Business at Eastern Washington University. In retirement, he conducted extensive research on the Indian Wars of 1876 and authored two books on related battles. He had a deep interest in Western history and visited numerous historical sites throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four of his five siblings; two sons, Michael and Douglas Werts; and one granddaughter, Mary. He is survived by two sons and their families: Robert Werts of Puyallup, Washington, and Aaron Werts of Roswell, New Mexico; along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr. Werts was cremated per his wishes, and no services were held. His ashes were interred at St. Edward Catholic Cemetery in St. Edward, Nebraska. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Edward Catholic Cemetery.