Keith Eiken, a life-long resident of Louisville, died February 3, 2023 at age 87. Born to parents who were educators, Keith relished knowledge and growth, and dedicated his career to public education for all. He was a retired administrator with the Jefferson County Public Schools and his career included teaching at the former Parkland Junior High School, Supervisor of Social Studies, Coordinator of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction, Coordinator of the Advance Program, and the principal at Atherton High School. His undergraduate degree was earned at Ohio Wesleyan University, a master’s degree at the University of Louisville, and a doctorate in education from Indiana University (Bloomington). He received an Associateship Diploma from the London University Institute of Education (England). He was awarded fellowships for summer study in economics at the University of North Carolina and Purdue University and a John Hay Fellowship in the humanities at Williams College. He served in the United States Army Reserve. The United States Department of Education selected him for a travel grant to participate with a national group of public-school administrators in developing instructional materials that explained the rapidly changing cultural and economic developments in contemporary India. As an early advocate of gifted education in the state, he was active in the formation of the Kentucky Association for Gifted Education and has served as a past president of the statewide organization. His interest in civic life was expressed in serving as a president of the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. As the executive director of Scenic Kentucky, Inc., he was an advocate for protecting the state’s natural beauty along the highways. A member of the Kentucky Branch, English-Speaking Union, he escorted local high school groups on exchange visits to Britain. He was particularly proud of the organization’s record in sending hundreds of outstanding Kentucky college students and high school teachers to British universities for summer study. A strong interest in interfaith relations led to his participation in the Cathedral Heritage Foundation’s “Festival of Faiths” and the community outreach of Interfaith Paths to Peace. He was an Honor Deacon at Highland Baptist Church. He is survived by his niece and nephews, Amy, Richard Adam, Courtney and Kai, sister-in-law, Maribeth Graham and his three great nephews Riley, William, and Alexander. He was predeceased by his parents, Evangeline and Eivind O. Eiken, and brother, Richard. Visitation will be from 4:00pm – 7:00pm on Monday, February 20, 2023 at Pearson Funeral Home, 149 Breckenridge Lane. A celebration of life and interment will take place at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of gifts to the Endowment Fund for Interfaith Programs and Projects, Highland Baptist Church, 1101 Cherokee Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40204 or the Community Foundation of Louisville for the English Speaking Union – Robert Bingham Endowment Fund (for scholarships) at 325 W Main St., Suite 1110, Louisville, KY 40202.
