Charles Keller

Chuck was born to Charles W. Keller, Sr., and Venia Carroll Keller on May 3, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois. His mother died in childbirth, and he was raised by his grandparents, John Jacob Keller and Bessie Keller. In his freshman year of high school, he was smitten by Lucy Fuller. They wed shortly after graduating from high school.

Chuck received both his Bachelor of Arts (1961) and his Master of Divinity from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (1966) in Lombard, IL. Throughout his college and seminary, he and Lucy both worked to support their growing family while also developing their understanding of God’s call for them as partners to Christ’s service. Immediately after seminary he completed an internship in broadcasting at NBC-TV sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters and the National Council of Churches to develop leadership in the church’s use of broadcasting media, and used TV and radio to spread God’s message of love. In his first church he had a half hour program in Princeton, Illinois, called “Church On The Go,” utilizing news feed from the National Council of Churches. Chuck and Lucy also used their combined creative talents to create multi-media productions.

Chuck envisioned a future in which people of all faiths worshiped and served side by side, hand in hand. He was first called to serve churches of different denominations that were sharing a pastor for the first time in Buda, IL (First Baptist Church and First Congregational Church, 1966-1969), and closed out his parish ministry again with the American Baptist and United Church of Christ churches in Plainville and Meridian, NY (Plainville Christian Church (UCC) and First Baptist Church in Meridian, 1989-1999).

He served two interdenominational churches sharing a pastor in East Montpelier, VT (Old Meeting House and Old Brick Church, 1969-1977, comprising American Baptist, United Church of Christ, United Methodist, and Unitarian Universalist). His other churches included the First Baptist Churches of Addison, NY (1977-1987) and Trumansburg, NY (1987-1989). During his ministry, he served on the Vermont Ecumenical Council (including serving as Vice President) and on the Interfaith Council in Syracuse (including serving as Interim Director).

Chuck was called to serve individuals, communities, and congregations in crisis. He served in seven volunteer fire departments in three states, for a total of 47 years including a stint as Addison Fire Chief. When there was a need for emergency medical technicians, he received the training and served in that role for several years in Addison, NY, not only as an attendant but as Captain of the Ambulance Corps in Addison. He later served on Critical Incident Stress Management teams in New York and Florida, with specialized training in mass disasters and terrorism; was certified as an Instructor of Pastoral Crisis Intervention by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation; and taught Pastoral Crisis Intervention to chaplains and pastors in Syracuse, Cortland, and New York City, with 23 Spiritual caregivers, including institutional chaplains, pastors, and three imams in the NYC class.

Chuck worked as a chaplain through the years but was especially grateful to serve veterans and their families at the Syracuse VA Medical Center as well as serving as chaplain of the Central New York Firemen’s Association.

You cannot describe Chuck without talking about his deep abiding love for Lucy. No one could love any woman more than he loved his life partner, Lucy, who was steadfastly at his side and supporting every calling he answered. They were always on the same page, and now she will continue to write their story until they are together again.

In addition to his beloved wife Lucy, Chuck leaves behind 6 children: Lucy (Beverly, MA), Betty (St. Johnsbury, VT), Mary (Peabody, MA), Judy Kochmanski (Port Crane, NY), Nancy (Peabody, MA), and Charles (Live Oak, FL), and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, and a grandson.

After retiring from pastoral care and firefighting, Chuck and Lucy sought a church in Florida that fed their spirits and embodied the Beloved Community. They found this church in the First United Church in Tampa, and settled there for the winters, summering in daughter Nancy’s home in Peabody, MA.

Celebration of Life services will be held at First United Church, 4120 MacDill Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33607, at 2 PM on Sunday, December 1, and at the Old Meeting House in East Montpelier, 1620 Center Rd, Montpelier, VT, at 3 PM on Sunday, December 22. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the capital campaign for the Peace Village of the First United Church of Tampa, address above.