Posted: Friday, September 12, 2008 12:00 am
Jan. 5, 1944 - Sept. 8, 2008
Robert J. Keller Jr., 64, of Sweet Home died Monday.
He was born in Longview, Wash., to Robert J. Keller Sr. and Roseline H. Keller. He was an Eagle Scout.
After junior college he went to San Francisco State University, and then to teach in Concord, Calif., where he met his wife, Judy J. McGowan. After three years they moved to Cave Junction.
Robert was drafted into the Army in 1969 and went on to serve as a military policeman in Germany.
They settled in Sweet Home where Robert taught third through sixth grades.
Robert farmed the cherry orchards that Judy's parents passed to them.
Robert's faith was very important. He and Judy raised their family in the Sweet Home Evangelical Church.
He and Judy traveled in spite of his diagnosis with multiple myeloma. He was an inspiration with his cheerful attitude and fighting spirit.
Robert is survived by his wife, Judy; daughters Heide Nichol of Sweet Home, Holly Vietor of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Heather Stockamp of Corvallis; sister Julie McBride of Vancouver, Wash., brother John of Concrete, Wash., mother Roseline of Longview, Wash., six grandchildren; and 11 nieces and nephews.
Donations on Robert's behalf can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Cancer Research Foundation or The Salvation Army.
A viewing will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Liberty Cemetery. A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Community Chapel outdoor amphitheater in Sweet Home. Casual attire is appropriate.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements (www.sweethomefuneral.com).