Richard L Keller Jr.

Richard (Dick) L. Keller Jr., age 73, passed peacefully into heaven on January 27, 2021 in Port Charlotte, FL. He was born in August 1947 in Pennsylvania to parents Richard L. Keller Sr. and Mary Jane Keller. Dick grew up, married, and raised his two children in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Business Administration, and later earned his MBA from Wayne State University. He retired in 2012, spending his winters in Port Charlotte where he met his beloved wife, Beverly, and made many new lifelong friendships.

Dick was an avid sports fan and athlete himself his whole life. Growing up, he enjoyed playing pond hockey with friends and family, especially with his younger brother, Tom. During High School he was being scouted by a few Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury took that dream of being a MLB pitcher away. But that didn’t stop Dick! He continued to play golf and tennis both leisurely and competitively throughout his adult life. Some of Dick’s closest friends were made through tennis and there wasn’t a team that he couldn’t improve! Dick loved people. He was funny, charismatic, smart, and loving, and he could devour a pint of ice cream in one sitting! And let’s not forget Dick’s competitive nature and endless laughter with family, playing board games and cards, memories that will be cherished forever.

In 2011 Dick was baptized, giving his heart to Jesus, and sharing this passion with his sister, Sue, by studying God’s word. Dick participated in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) for 8+ years. During that time he recommended BSF to many people and mentored many more. Another important part of Dick’s life has been the Christian Church. While in Detroit he did some mentoring of young children in the after-school reading program called SOAR Detroit. He attended Grace Community Church in Detroit. For the past 8 years, he was active in the Family Church in Port Charlotte, FL. His passion there was to help men grow in their relationship with Christ. So many recent responses from believers and others spoke of what Dick meant to them - that he loved and cared for them, and they mentioned that he lived a genuine Christian life. He was a mentor to many and a friend to all. His love of Christ was evident to all who knew him.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Beverly Keller; his children Tom (Missy) Keller and daughter Jaime (Mike) Huber; two grandchildren, Addison and Vinny; sister Sue (Doug) Schmitz and nephew Brian; brother Tom Keller and niece and nephew Alex and Cory; and mother of his children, Christine Keller.

Your interest and/or donations to BSFinternational.org, SOARdetroit.com, or the Family Church in Port Charlotte familychurchpc.com (Memorials) would be appreciated in Dick’s memory.