Bobby (Bob) Ray Keller

Bobby (Bob) Ray Keller of Charlotte, NC, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on November 6, 1934, in Kannapolis, NC, the son of Wade R. Keller and Hazel Pennell Keller. He was preceded in death 3 weeks prior by his loving wife of 63 years, Mildred Barlow Keller.

Bob is survived by daughters Robin Keller Bowlin of Indian Trail; Christi Keller Barker (T.P.) of Charlotte; son Lance Robert Keller (Megan) of Charlotte; granddaughter Madison Caroline Bowlin and grandson Wesley Robert Bowlin of Indian Trail. His grandchildren affectionately called him “Bob” as he preferred. He is also survived by his sister Janice Keller Russell of Woodstock, GA, his sister-in-law Wanda (Peggy) Henderson of Knoxville, TN, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Bob graduated from AL Brown High School in Kannapolis, NC. He attended the University of Virginia. He played high school baseball and football, was a member of the 1953 Southern Piedmont all conference baseball team and was on the roster of the 1953 All-State High School baseball team. Additionally, he played on the 1952 American Legion State Championship team and was offered to play AA baseball after High School.

He was employed by Lockheed Aircraft (Marietta, GA), Douglas Missile Plant (Charlotte), Westinghouse Nuclear Turbine Plant (Charlotte), and Siemens/Westinghouse Power Generation (Orlando, FL). He was the Plant Manager for Pioneer Motor Bearing Company in Kings Mountain, NC during the startup phase for their new manufacturing facility.

Bob retired from Westinghouse as the Manager of Manufacturing and Tool Engineering. After retirement, he worked as an independent consultant for Siemens/Westinghouse (Orlando, FL) and Major Tool and Machine (Indianapolis, IN.) He served clients in North America, China, Japan, Mexico, and Canada. His consulting activities covered a twelve-year period.

While employed he received many awards and was awarded two U.S. Patents and disclosures on four other patents. He was a registered Professional Manufacturing Engineer and a Certified Manufacturing Engineer. He was a lifetime member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He was a 64-year member of the Masonic Order and a 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Oasis Shrine in Charlotte. He was a charter member of the World War II Memorial Society in Washington, DC and a Charter member of the World War II Museum in New Orleans, LA. He was a member of the American Legion Post 115 in Kannapolis and a Founding Sponsor of the National Museum of the U.S. Army in Washington, DC. He was also a founding member of The George Bush Library in Texas.

Bob served in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the Pentagon as cryptographer after receiving a Top-Secret clearance. He completed his obligation and received honorable discharge with the rank of Sergeant.

Bob was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Charlotte and was a former Sunday school teacher. His hobbies were many, including antique clock collecting and repair, home and auto restoration, antique furniture restoration, surf fishing, and in his youth, he loved to hunt. He adored Boston terriers and his most beloved dog Rueben preceded him at the pearly gates of heaven.

Bob prefers to be remembered as the father of three wonderful children, two grandchildren, and by the many blessings he received. He was a firm believer that right will overcome wrong and that the Creator desires our best yet knows our human weaknesses and offers forgiveness.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Monday, August 23, 2021, at Whitley’s Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by family friend and Pastor Ray Hardee. The family will receive friends at 12pm. Burial will immediately follow at Carolina Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to any of Bob’s favorite charities: Shriners Hospitals for Children, Masonic Home for Children, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and Wounded Warriors Project.

Online condolences may be made to www.whitleysfuneralhome.com