Walter Philip Keller, age 88, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2015, in Kyle, Texas.
Walt, known to family as “Bud”, was born on October 22, 1926, to Isabel Gladys Gilhart Keller and Walter Philip Keller in Delevan, Minnesota. Walt graduated as salutatorian from Lamberton High School.
After serving in the Navy during World War II, he attended Notre Dame University, Macalester College and then graduated with the class of 1950 from the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology where he obtained a Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering degree with distinction.
Walt spent his career working as a mechanical engineer for Amoco Corporation. During his working life, Walt resided in Joliet, Illinois, New York, California and Mexico City. Walt married Joyce Carson, they had one son, Walter Alan Keller and Walt enjoyed being a step-dad to Richard, Scott and Steven Lockard. Walt was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Joliet.
In retirement, Walt moved to Colorado where he loved to ski (into his 80s), listen to jazz, travel and was an active member of the Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church. His final years were spent in Austin, Texas where he was able to be close to his son’s family.
Walt was a Mason, a member of the Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honor Society and was in the Sigma Nu Fraternity.
Walt was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert G. Keller of Stacy, Minnesota. Walt is survived by his son, Walter Alan Keller, his wife Merideth and four grandchildren: Taylor, Addison, Aidan and William of Buda, Texas, and many cousins who were like siblings to him.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 8 at 2 p.m. at the Conservatory in Austin, Texas. Memorials may be made to Foundation Fighting Blindness (www.blindness.org).
