T. Keith Dix ’76

Keith died May 30, 2024, at home in Athens, Ga., following a lengthy illness. He was an associate professor of classics emeritus at the University of Georgia.

Born and raised in Virginia, Keith graduated from Spotsylvania High School. At Princeton, he majored in classics, played the clarinet in the Marching Band, and joined Charter Club. He roomed with Wilson Hayman, George Holober, and David Wirth. During college, Keith made his first trip to Rome, a city that would be central to his career and the anchor of his life. Keith loved his years at Princeton and returned for numerous Band and class reunions.

Keith continued his studies at the University of Michigan, where he obtained two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in classical archaeology and classics. There he met and married Naomi Norman. Their son William grew up traveling with his parents to archaeological excavations in Carthage, to their work in Rome and Greece, then back home to Athens, Ga. Keith was a devoted family man, helping his wife on her archaeological excavations.

As a teacher of Latin, Keith taught thousands of students. He taught many students who would become high school Latin teachers, thus spreading the love of Latin and the ancient Romans to generations. He was a well-loved storyteller and kept his audience of students laughing.

As a scholar, Keith was an expert on ancient libraries, and toward the end of his life he co-authored a well-received analysis of Aristophanes’ comedy Knights. He described himself as “a utility player,” publishing on topics from ancient libraries, Vergil, Aristophanes, and Roman history to the little-known but historically important Eteocarpathians. He participated in excavations in Israel and Tunisia.

The class officers extend condolences to his wife, Naomi; and son, William.