Bob H. Keller
August 21, 1934 - February 26, 2017
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Bob H. Keller
August 21, 1934 - February 26, 2017
Obituary
Robert H. Keller of Bellingham died on February 26, 2017 at Hospice House. Born in Portland, he grew up in Olympia and Tacoma where he worked as a truck driver while attending the University of Puget Sound. Bob married Kathleen Jones in 1965. Graduate study at the University of Chicago brought a Ph.D. in church history.
His campus career moved from Olympic College in Bremerton to Western, where he taught primarily at Fairhaven College, also in History and Huxley College. Fairhaven allowed classes ranging from the Grand Canyon, Native American history, and basic mountaineering, to Supreme Court history, and death and dying. In 1980 he received Western’s Distinguished Teaching Award.
Following divorce from Kathleen in 1977, he married Patricia Karlberg in 1985. During retirement, the two have traveled widely in the U.S. and Europe, with a home base in the Black Forest.
Bob was a strong environmentalist who loved wilderness travel. Three times he hiked across the North Cascades. He and Pat traversed the Brooks Range in Alaska, and twice he hiked across the Grand Canyon, rim to rim, in one day. He not only walked and talked his beliefs, but also served nineteen years on the Whatcom Land Trust board of directors.
Everything ends. A time to “cross that lonesome valley.” Bob was deeply loved by his family and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Pat, his daughters Cheryl and Donna (Michael Johnson), and his stepchildren Doug (partner Jennifer Hill), Ken (Lisa), Bryn (partner Rueben Baca), his niece Susan (Shawn) and nephew Randy (Nika), along with seven granddaughters and two great-grandchildren. You may visit his “natural” grave in the Meadow at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale.
A memorial service will be held on April 8th 2:30 p.m. at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Robert Keller Scholarship at WWU, Whatcom Hospice House, or the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship.
Memorial Service
- Date & Time: April 8, 2017 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
- Location: 1207 Ellsworth Street Bellingham, WA 98225 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) 73-3-3837
7 responses to Bob H. Keller
Bob Aegerter says:
February 26, 2017
Our condolences to the family of Bob Keller with our appreciation for Bob’s contributions to the lives of his students and the quality of education and the environment of Western Washington University. He helped us think more deeply about the issues.
Bryn Karlberg says:
February 26, 2017
You know, it’s odd. I really don’t feel as if he has left.
Dawn Sodt says:
February 26, 2017
I am so grateful to have known Bob. He serves as an inspiration in his dedication to the environment, love of nature, and his belief in life-long learning. As an employee at the Whatcom Land Trust, I saw and heard Bob’s commitment to preserving land for future generations. As an almost neighbor, it was always a pleasure to see him on the bus and have a chance for a chat. His absence in our community will be felt.
Henry Zemel says:
February 26, 2017
My condolences to Pat an the rest of the family. Knowing Bob,enriched my life and I always enjoyed seeing him. During my time at Fairhaven and years after in the community was always a pleasure. He left a positive impact with his students and the community. In the early years at Fairhaven college he made it a better place by having high standards and requiring his students meet his standards. Always someone who you would look up to. Henry Zemel
wendy walker says:
February 26, 2017
Bob was a great influence in my life.. helping me to learn to think critically, act ethically and how to search out challenge and adventure. His seemed like a life well and fully lived and I feel lucky to have shared his path now and then over many decades. I will miss him and miss knowing that he is working to make our world a better place. My love to Pat, Donna, Cheryl and the rest of the family.