Keith Perkins III, beloved father, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and prankster passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 12, 2025, after spending cherished days surrounded by family and friends who loved him deeply.

Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Miller Funeral Home, Downtown location, 507 S. Main Ave, Sioux Falls, SD.

Keith was, at his core, a teacher. Whether standing at the front of a classroom dedicating 45 years at the University of Sioux Falls or sharing insights wherever he may be, he was a "forever professor." He delighted in questions and curiosity - particularly in anything related to nature. His students and colleagues remember him for his enthusiasm, his generosity of spirit, and his ability to make any topic—no matter how small—feel like an invitation to explore.

When Keith wasn't in the classroom, he could almost always be found outdoors. He dedicated countless summers to studying the health of the Missouri River basin, collecting specimens, making careful observations, and contributing to the broader understanding of the natural world he so loved. His commitment to environmental stewardship extended to his leadership roles—serving as president of the Mary Jo Wagner Arboretum from 2007 to 2017 and previously as president of The Nature Conservancy, where his efforts in the late 1980s helped preserve and protect vital natural lands.

But Keith's legacy isn't just in classrooms or conservation projects—it's in his garden, around a campfire telling stories, building tarp shelters, and cooking "Perk-ghetti" on summer nights with the people he loved. A constant presence on camping trips, Keith—known affectionately as "Perky"—was the first to fall asleep and the first to rise, ready to greet the morning with humor and heart.

Keith's final days were filled with the same light and laughter that defined his life. He leaves behind his daughter, Jessica Perkins, and her husband, Aaron Fisher, and family and friends who will forever carry his warmth, humor, and curiosity in their hearts. He teased, joked, and shared stories until the end, leaving behind memories as enduring as his love for teaching, nature, and the people who meant the world to him.