Dr. Keith Fredrick Hickman, 95, died on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Born in Ft. Collins, Colo., he graduated from Colorado State University and received his master's and doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado.

Dr. Hickman began his teaching career at Akron High School, where he met Verna, his wife of 67 years.

After teaching industrial arts in Rapid City, S.D., he accepted a position at the University of New York at Oswego. He began his tenure as professor at Georgia Southern College in 1967, where he loved teaching students in a whole variety of courses in the School of Technology.

He worked with undergraduate and graduate students at both Georgia Southern and Ft. Gordon in Augusta. He served as department chair and yearbook advisor. He advocated for the School of Engineering and university status and retired after 30 years.

After retiring, he returned for one year to serve as chair of the newly-formed construction management and civil engineering department.

He was bestowed the title of professor emeritus.

Dr. Hickman served as staff sargent in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict as an aircraft electronics technician.

He joined the Kiwanis Club, where he used his photographic talents to capture the Kiwanis Fair moments. In 2016, he was honored by receiving the 2016 Fair Book Dedication.

He also served on the Food Bank Board of Directors.

In 2013, Keith received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Award.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Fredrick Hickman and Myrtle Danielson Hickman.

He is survived by his wife, Verna Ralston Hickman (91); and their three children, Kelli Hickman Woodall (Paul), Greg Hickman (Kimberly) and Scott Hickman (Wendy); and eight grandchildren, Brooke, Amber, Jordan, Bradley, Nathan, Kaitlyn, Analie, Tyler; and two great-grandchildren, Atlas and Malachi. He is also survived by his lifetime best friend, Tom Canfield, who shared the same birthdate.

His family also wants to thank his caregivers for all they have done.

His family will receive visitors on Monday, October 19th, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Pittman Park United Methodist Church in Statesboro.

His funeral will be held immediately following the visitation. Interment will be at Bulloch Memorial Gardens following the service.

Pallbearers will be his three grandsons and Kiwanis Club members.

The Kiwanis Club members are serving as honorary pallbearers.

His family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Pittman Park United Methodist Church, where he was member since 1967.

Friends can sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.

Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, October 20, 2026

Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.statesboroherald.com.