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Remembering Keith Schoville

  • Aug 12
  • 2 min read

by Gordon Govier

 

Keith Schoville, former president of the Near East Archaeological Association, left this earth for his heavenly reward on July 30, 2026. He was 98 years old.


Professor Schoville's route to biblical archaeology was an unconventional one. He grew up on a farm near Soldiers Grove in southwestern Wisconsin, attended a one-room country school, and served in the US Army after World War II. He became a truck driver upon his army discharge until he was encouraged to become a teacher. He attended the Vernon County Normal School, graduated in 1951, and began to teach in a one-room country school.


Following several more job transitions he continued his education at Milligan College in Tennessee. He returned to Wisconsin as a minister of the Gospel, becoming the founding pastor of Westwood Christian Church in Madison.


After joining a correspondence course in Hebrew offered by the University of Wisconsin, he was invited to enroll as a full-time student by professor Menahem Mansoor, who became his mentor.


He received his M.A. at the University of Wisconsin in 1966, and his Ph.D. in 1969. He became a full professor in the Department of Hebrew and Semitic Studies in 1970, teaching until his retirement in 1995, serving as Department Chair during some of that time.


Together with professor Mansoor, he researched and co-authored a 1983 exhibition: Sign, Symbol, and Script: Origins of Written Communication and the Birth of the Alphabet. He wrote a popular textbook: Biblical Archaeology in Focus. He and his students participated in excavations at Tel Dan, Tel Lachish, and Tel Aroer.


In 1983 I invited professor Schoville to join me at the Christian radio station where I worked to try out a weekly radio program on biblical archaeology that we called The Book & The Spade. He was the perfect radio partner: knowledgeable, conversant, and congenial. He brought in many guests to continue to enlighten our listeners.


He stepped away from his role as co-host in 2013. I have been able to continue the program due to the knowledge and wisdom shared during his tutelage.


No doubt our similar rural Wisconsin farm and one-room country school roots helped us communicate well together. I'm sure his many students would have many other appreciations to share.


Professor Schoville was preceded in death by his beloved wife Merrlyn, to whom he was married for 76 years. He is survived by their five children; eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. A memorial service is at Westwood Christian Church in Madison on August 15, 2026.

 
 
 

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