Keith "Aaron" Ackerman

Keith (Aaron) David Ackerman

Born on January 30, 1964 Aaron was able to celebrate his 62nd birthday at home, with his favorite Chinese food and homemade coconut cream pie, before being taken into the arms of his creator on February 6, 2026, at Mt. Carmel East Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. Aaron was born in Fredericktown, Ohio. He is preceded in death by his sister Kelly Keener, Mother Marjorie, Father Robert Virgil, and Grandparents Rex and Essie (Carr) Ackerman. He is survived by his Husband Paul Saltz (married June 12, 2022), fur children Apollo, Midnighter, Equinox, and Pearl, Brother Kevin (estranged), Niece Taylor Riley, Nephew Tyler Keener, and several cousins.

Aaron graduated from Bowling Green State University with his Bachelor of Fine Arts. He lived as a proud Falcon, class of 1986. His professional career focused on public relations, journalism, and graphic design. This included serving a decade as Director of Public Relations for Marion Technical College in Marion, Ohio, leaving only to care for his terminally ill father until his final breath in 2008.

Aaron was a prolific writer and abstract painter, having had numerous published pieces in various journals. He also had both solo and shared art shows held at various locations in the Short North Arts District, Columbus, Ohio. He will be best remembered for his razor-sharp wit, grandiose sense of humor, his passion for civic affairs, human rights, and the defense of the voiceless, especially cat welfare. Those closest will also remember him for his love of global cuisine, especially dishes with coconut, and his love of comics and sci-fi, especially Star Trek. Lovers of his art will know him by his use of bright colors and crisp lines, with compositions encapsulating the joys found in life despite its struggles.

His Husband Paul is planning for a celebration of life and interment of ashes to be held at their church, First Community Church, North Campus, 3777 Dublin Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43221. Date and time will be announced soon. In place of flowers, please send donations to the Kaleidoscope Youth Center https://kyc.app.neoncrm.com/forms/online-giving or the Cat Welfare Association https://catwelfareassoc.org/donate, both in Columbus, Ohio.