When he was 28 years old, R. Keith Vogt was invited to join the zoning hearing board in East Donegal Township. The volunteer role appealed to him, because the lifelong county resident believed in the importance of community involvement, so he agreed to take the job.

Now, 50 years later, Keith is still going strong in the role, and, at age 78, he has no plans to stop.

Keith joins two others on the board. The group plays a role in determining modifications to the zoning ordinance.

"We are a quasi-judicial body," he said. "When we make a decision, it's law. If you don't like it, you can address it in the courts of Lancaster."

While that may sound a bit harsh, Keith explained that all decisions are made with the interest of the community and the applicant in mind.

For example, the board recently determined that a homeowner who wanted to connect two existing structures - one of which was a garage - could proceed with the build, even though initially, he had been denied the opportunity to build because the garage was too close to the property line.

"We considered the application, because the guy wanted to connect an existing garage to his house," Keith said. "What was he going to do? Move the garage? No. Was it going to affect anything if he did connect the two buildings? No. So we approved the application."

Zoning board hearings are open to the public, and letters are sent to adjoining property owners when a property comes up for a hearing.

"Back in the old days, I used to knock on the neighbors' doors and tell them what's going on," Keith said with a chuckle. "We don't do that much anymore."

The number of hearings the board handles in a year varies.

"In 2025, we had six," Keith said. "One year, we had none. We only meet when a hearing is called for."

When asked what kept him involved in the zoning hearing board for five decades, Keith makes a joke.

"I've been married for 60 years in July. Ask me, 'Why did I do that?'" he said with a laugh. He notes that just as being married to his wife, Kathy, is part of who he is as a person, so is giving back to the township he calls home.

"It keeps my mind active and keeps me involved in the township," he said. "This is a beautiful place to live, and I appreciate it."

He notes that East Donegal Township has been on the forefront of land preservation, with some of the first agriculture preservations in the county.

"The township is very well managed," he said. "We have a great school district and an excellent school board. It's just a lovely place to live."

Keith was self-employed as a grain dealer at R.K. Vogt Grain for 50 years. In 2015, he sold the business, including the farm, his cattle and his airplane.

"I have 5,000 hours in the air," he said, noting that he's flown across the country, into Canada and as far away as Puerto Rico.

His job as a pilot took him across the state and throughout the northeastern United States, delivering bovine embryos.

A 1964 graduate of Donegal High School, Keith married Kathy in 1965. They have six children and now enjoy spending time with their 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Active at Calvary Bible Church in Mount Joy, Keith volunteers in a variety of positions. During the interview for this article, he was driving a snowplow, clearing the church parking lot after a storm.

Over the years, Keith has served as a committeeman for local politics and is chair of the board of directors that oversees the finances of the Maytown-East Donegal Township Fire Company.

Giving back is something he believes everyone should do.

"We have a responsibility to this experiment called the USA," he said. "Those men who conceived our constitution were brilliant. We have a responsibility to be civically involved. It's something that's demanded of us."

He encourages all people to get involved in their community and understand the issues that affect both themselves and their neighbors.

"People are busy, and they say they don't have time to attend meetings or to pay attention to all the details," he said. "But then when something goes haywire, they say, 'We didn't know about that.' You have to pay attention."

At an age when many of his peers may be cutting back on their commitments, Keith just signed up for another three-year term with the zoning hearing board.

"I don't do it, and I haven't done it, for recognition or any special kind of thanks," he said. "I do it because I believe it's my civic duty to be involved in my community."