Keith Smyth

March 12, 2025

Keith Smyth, 89, of Campbell, California, passed away on February 20, 2025. 

He was born Aug. 10, 1935 to James and Violet Smyth of Tribune, Kansas.

Keith graduated from Greeley County High School in 1953.  After high school, Keith worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad like his father,  James.  In 1954, Keith enlisted in the Air Force and served in Texas, Mississippi, Germany, North Dakota, Illinois, France, and Thailand until 1967 as an electronics instructor and technical writer on various Air Force electronics systems.

Keith started his own company, Keith Smyth Technical Documentation Consultant in 1967, after retiring from the Air Force. He wrote technical manuals, working on many classified military contracts and for various space programs as well as many Silicon Valley tech companies.

Keith was an avid astronomer and eagerly studied the stars, planets and asteroids with his high powered telescope. His other hobbies included computer aided-design, and programming, photography, creating pop-up greeting cards, dowsing and was elected Vice-President, San Jose Chapter, American Society of Dowsers Club. Keith was voted Educator Of The Year, American Society of Dowsers, 2016. 

He married Elisabeth Charlotte Matthes in Berlin, Germany on March 18, 1959.  She preceded him in death on September 6, 2005.  He later married Caryl Margueritel Lenhart. They loved to travel and spent several months touring the US and Europe. 

Survived by his son, Franklin Smyth, three brothers, James, Gene and Nolan Smyth, one sister, Sharon Gass, one niece, Pamela Donaghy, one great niece, Heather Smith, two great nieces, Jazmine and Ann Marie Carter.

Keith was witty, hardworking, talented, and a great brother. As the oldest brother, he loved giving us advice. His last advice was: “Do not interfere in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!”

A private family memorial will be held. 

Gone from our sight, never our hearts!