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METCALF FUNERAL DIRECTORS obituary
1801 EAST WHITE OAK TERRACE, CONROE, TX 77304 | 936-756-3311

Robert Alton Keller
November 8, 1925 - July 24, 2017

Visitation
Sunday, July 30, 2017 | 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Metcalf Funeral Directors
1801 E. White Oak Terrace, Conroe, Texas | (936) 756-3311
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Private Family Graveside
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Robert Alton Keller was born November 8, 1925 in Sherman, TX to Herman and Fannie Keller. He died peacefully at home on July 24, 2017. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Jean, brother, Kenneth, and son, Bobby. He is survived by his brother, Herman Keller, son and daughter-in-law, Mark & Cheryl Keller; son and girlfriend, Matt Keller and Faye Harris; six grandchildren, Kristi Swaim and husband Dan, Kim McLendon and husband Tony, Scott Keller and wife Kelsey, Cole Keller and girlfriend Kaylyn Whitton, Todd Keller and Craig Keller and wife Heather, and seven great grandchildren. Bob excelled in academics, football and basketball in his years at Sherman High School. He also played basketball at Texas A&M University, where he studied Petroleum Engineering and was a member of B-Battery Field Artillery in the Corps of Cadets. During WWII, he left A&M to serve as a Merchant Marine on a ship near Okinawa. Upon graduating from Texas A&M in 1947, Bob and his buddy, Scooter Yeargain, drove to Alvin, TX to work on a steam rig, which started their careers with Rowan Drilling. In July of 1950, he married Betty Jean Marquart. They lived and worked all over the Rowan operating regions of the United States and in Southeast Asia. After 43 years, he retired in 1991 as a Vice President of Operations of Rowan Companies, Inc. A TARZAN class jack-up rig was named in his honor. In retirement, he enjoyed hunting, golf and model trains with his sons and grandsons. Bob said his proudest achievement at Rowan was training the "young people" for the future of the company. He was a leader, a mentor, and a friend to many. "Papa" was an exceptional husband, father, and grandfather. He will be deeply missed. The family would like to extend a special thank you to his companion for last three years, Billye Bowdoin, and his caregivers, Gail, David and Connie, who all took excellent care of Bob.The family would like to extend a special thank you to his companion for last three years, Billye Bowdoin, and his caregivers, Gail, David and Connie, who all took excellent care of Bob.
A visitation will be held Sunday, July 30th from 4:00pm-7:00pm at Metcalf Funeral Directors in Conroe.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's or Shriners Children's Hospitals.