Keith David Sherman

Keith David Sherman, 42, of Longmeadow, MA, passed away and found peace on Monday, January 17th, 2021. Keith was a loving son, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, cousin, and friend to countless people. He is survived by his parents, Jane and Mark, his brother, Brian, and his two nephews, Thompson and Calvin.

Keith was born May 23rd, 1978, and grew up in Longmeadow, MA, where he graduated from High School in 1996. He graduated magna cum laude from University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and went on to complete his Master’s degree in Political Science from Northern Arizona University. At the time of his death, Keith had completed his coursework and was working on his doctoral dissertation in Philosophy at the University of Albany where he was awarded a grant to travel to the Netherlands to present a paper entitled “Animal Politics: Justice, Power, and the State.” His service to the University also included Representative to the Philosophical Association, Senator of the Graduate Student Association (GSA), and Election Committee Chair of the GSA.

Keith taught philosophy at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff, AZ for several years prior to moving back east to begin his Ph.D. program. Currently, he was an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY, teaching courses in Bioethics, Business Ethics, Ethics and Values, and Human Being-Being Human. All of his students loved him unequivocally.

Keith was a passionate person who touched many lives. Since he was young he sought truth and justice in the world, and went to great lengths to secure that for others. He was the founding instructor in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program in the Coconino County Jail in Flagstaff, AZ, where he taught English to Spanish-speaking inmates awaiting deportation.

Keith volunteered as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the Palestine Red Crescent Society, served as a volunteer EMT in the Tusayan Arizona Fire Department, and undertook several other endeavors to support the oppressed and marginalized. His depth of character and empathy had no bounds.

Keith was fluent in Spanish, had a love for travel, and a verve for adventure. He hiked the Grand Canyon numerous times, went canyoneering in Utah, and always felt most at peace in nature.

His family loved him dearly, and will miss him deeply. No words can express their sorrow. They will work to promote his spirit of generosity, enthusiasm for life, and justice for all.

No funeral or memorial service is immediately planned. The family will notify loved ones in the future when a celebration of life is planned. Any memorials or special tributes to Keith can be sent to www.nickersonfunerals.com.

Donations in Keith’s memory may be made to the National Park Foundation, 1500 K Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C., 20005, 202-796-2500, [email protected], or

The College of Saint Rose, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, 432 Western Ave., Albany, NY, 12203.