Tributes
By Don Lago
From the Ol’ Pioneer newsletter of the Grand Canyon Historical society.
From Terri Tobin – read by Dan at the Celebration of Life.
I have so many memories of Keith, and so many stories; funny, not so funny, deep, silly, sweet, scary, grueling, emotional, memories of conversation that taxed my brain with questions of ethics and morals never being answered; close to 50 years of all kinds of memories too numerous to mention. But in the end they all leave me with one thing. Love. How much I loved my friend and how much my friend loved me. I always felt it. I always will. And I venture to guess that many of you know exactly what I mean!
What a gift we were given in that man!
The sweet companionship of fellow Keith-lovers on this summer solstice will, I’m sure, make for nothing short of a lovely celebration of Keith and all he has contributed to this planet, Grand Canyon-Parks-Flagstaff community, and to each one of us.
I wish for you and all of those who loved Keith, a bright and warm sunny day, safe strolls out to the point, clear breathtaking Shoshone vistas, the faces of friends long since seen, stories that make you cry, stories that make you laugh, and stories that make you whine a little, as only Keith could do.
I wish you all warm hugs and time slowed down so the reminders of love from those around you are heard and felt loud and clear. I wish these things for all of you, because maybe in feeling those things, you’ll also be feeling Keith.
And finally, I wish for you to be able to channel Keith’s sense of humor. Remember how he laughed? That genuine laugh. When you made him laugh, it felt like you were giving him a gift of which he was so grateful. I loved that.
So today is a day…..
To sloooow the roll.
Appreciate that ice cold beer.
Cherish the Green.
Channel the Green. And let the laughter begin!!
And then perhaps you will feel cozy, comfortable, content, and at peace, just as you and Keith always made each other feel.
Note from from Atty. Stephen Jones, Keith’s attorney in the 60s – read by Nancy at the Celebration of Life.
I received your email on Friday, May 31, 2024, about the passing of your brother, Keith. Certainly, part of Keith’s influence and legacy was the effect it had on me personally and on my career.
Keith gained fleeting national attention on May 5, 1970, when, though legally blind, he was arrested by the University of Oklahoma police and the Norman police for the felony crime of “displaying a flag of disloyalty to the United States.” Mr. Green, as a student at OU, had silently protested the death of four students at Kent State, Ohio, the day before and the President’s direction to send military troops to Cambodia by displaying a “homemade Viet Cong” flag that had been used in a model United Nations, by waving the flag and weaving in and out among ROTC cadets at their weekly drill.
When placed in the University police car for transport to the County Courthouse to be booked on a felony charge, somewhere between 800 and 1,000 University of Oklahoma students sat down, surrounding the police car so it could not move. Governor Bartlett called in members of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Law enforcement physically removed each student so the police car could leave the University campus and travel to the Courthouse. Keith did not arrive at the Courthouse to be booked and released on bail until 10:00 p.m.
At the time Keith came to see me I was the thirteenth lawyer he had been to. The other twelve could not take his case. Some probably for legitimate reasons and others because of their political views, or Keith’s. To me, his case was a good one and any lawyer should have taken it. He could pay the fee, there was no conflict of interest, and the statute under which he was prosecuted had been declared unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court in an opinion written by Chief Justice Hughes in 1930. And, ultimately, we prevailed as Judge Elvin Brown dismissed the prosecution on the grounds set forth in our Motion to Dismiss.
Keith’s memory has stayed with me all of these years, now 54 years has passed from that fateful Spring day. Keith always acted on his convictions and the experience of representing him and the consequences on me personally and professionally certainly altered my life. It changed the method of law I practiced and the clients I took. In the long run, it benefited me over and over to where, in the words of Chief Justice Russell when he appointed me as lead defense counsel of Tim McVeigh, I was big enough to take the hit. Clearly, our work in Keith’s case had to have been a factor for it certainly was the foundation on which everything else was built in my professional career.
So, each of the clients that I undertook to represent who were unpopular or pariahs, they can thank Keith Green that they could find a lawyer.
Of course, Keith had committed no crime. He had simply exercised his First Amendment rights to protest the government’s policy in the war. With that in mind, he was a true patriot, as patriotic as any of the ROTC cadets marching through their weekly drill that afternoon at the parade grounds.
I salute his life, his career, and his willingness to overcome adversity and stand for what he believed in.
Shortly after I was appointed Mr. McVeigh’s lead counsel, Keith called me and wished me well. It was the only time we visited after the case was dismissed and I was grateful for his kindness and consideration in wishing me well.
I am grateful to Keith for the impact he had on my life.
Stephen W Bruning from Pensacola, Florida, wrote on Jun. 5, 2024
I had the privilege of knowing both Nancy and Keith for many years and the added privilege of working with Keith at Phantom Ranch. What can you say about “The Legend”. Songs were written about him. Food was invented for him, the Wet Garbage Omelet. A man who loved the canyon without ever really seeing it but knew it better than most ever would. My favorite memory was Keith giving us his Phantom History Lecture, with beer, at the Millennium Party at the only place to begin the new century, Phantom Ranch. He will be missed.GEORGE A. MARSIK from Phoenix, Az., wrote on Jun. 4, 2024
Keith Green I love ya buddy. First met you in 1975 at Phantom Ranch. Walk On and go on the next great hike.Andrew P Hood from Kailua, wrote on Jun. 4, 2024
KG was a huge influence on my life. May he rest in peace.Peggy Kolar from Las Vegas, NM, wrote on Jun. 2, 2024
Keith was an inspiration to all who knew him. I didn’t get to see him or Nancy in the last several years, but they still always invited me to the solstice parties. Forever in our hearts and fond memories. ♥️Bryan C. Bates from Flagstaff, wrote on Jun. 2, 2024
My wife and I were fortunate to travel to both New Zealand and Peru with Keith and Nancy. We were amazed by both Nancy’s and particularly Keith’s love of hiking and capacity to navigate pretty rugged terrain. They hiked together to places that challenged the rest of us on the trips. Both, and Keith most consistently would be engaged in conversations and often sharing their wry sense of humor as the rest of us had side-aches for laughing so hard. They were both genuine people who loved each other, their rural exploring lifestyle, their friends and, most importantly, their love of and protective actions for the land. What an inspiration they have been to enjoy and preserve life.Elvira & Rob Arnberger from Tucson, AZ, wrote on Jun. 2, 2024
To La Familia of Keith, our thoughts & prayers are with you all. We met Keith & Nancy while we lived at Grand Canyon. From that moment we became amigos. We crossed paths several times after leaving the canyon including seeing them here in Tucson. What a wonderful joker Keith was. He could put a smile on your face or give you a good laugh. Wherever Keith went, he brought fun & laughter. Those wonderful memories of our time together will be treasured & cherished within our hearts para siempre. Keith’s passing has left an emptiness in this world , he will be greatly missed by all of us who knew him & his memory will continue on. Vaya Con Dios Amigo & now you will be united with your love Nancy once again♥Dennis Stone from Kettle Falls, WA, wrote on Jun. 2, 2024
My deepest condolences to Keith’s extended family and multitudes of friends! Keith was one of the most interesting and funniest people I have ever known. His stories were endless. I remember him telling me about two cops questioning him about potentially burglarizing a house when he was walking home from a bar in Flagstaff. He looked at one cop through his coke bottle glasses, and its attached magnifying lense, and asked, “Officer, do I look like somebody that would be burglarizing homes?” The cop then looked at his partner and said, “He’s got a good point here!” Then there was Keith’s story about suing the park service because the park wouldn’t allow him to work at the bottom of Grand Canyon anymore. The superintendent told him that he could continue to work there, and the park would supply him with helicopter or mule transportation there, or just let him continue to hike, if he dropped his lawsuit! Keith replied, “that’s okay, I’ll work up here on the rim and drop my lawsuit. I just didn’t like you telling me I couldn’t work down there!” Rest in peace, there buddy, and thanks for all the laughs you gave me!Dena Lawrence from Hunter, NY, wrote on May. 31, 2024
Keith was one of my first cousins. We always lived far apart and only saw each other in person a few times.Rev Penni Honey wrote on May. 31, 2024
The planet was never the same after Keith arrived. Blessed and Being a Blessing were his specialties. And Life will never be the same now that he has journyed on to his next amazing expression. Gosh, we miss him physically but know that he is FREE to be the expression of all that he is and ils celebrating the Oneness and connection with all of life and certainly with the spirit of his wife, Nancy. Happy Trails Keith….We LOVE YOU!Dawn Elliott from Prescott, AZ, wrote on May. 31, 2024
What a beautiful tribute to Keith’s awesome and outstanding time on this earth. I never did beat him in cribbage! He will be dearly missed.