Wesley Keith Wharton died Jan. 4, 2018, with his wife of 61 years and loving members of his family surrounding him.
He served as associate dean and acting dean at the University of Minnesota College of Agriculture during his 37-year career there.
Keith, originally from Texas, attended Texas Western College on a football scholarship. He was an allconference tackle, playing on the football teams that won the 1954 and 1955 Sun Bowl games. After completing his master’s degree and doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado, he moved with his family to Minnesota to accept a position at the U of M. He concluded his time at the U back in the classroom, as a professor in the Department of Rhetoric, with students whom he loved to teach.
Keith and his wife, Barbara, moved to Greensboro, N.C., and lived there for several years. Memorial service plans are pending.
