Dr. Roy Fred Keller, 96, of Wexford Place, professor emeritus of computer science and engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), died December 5, 2023.
Roy was born in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, on April 3, 1927, at home on the Oakwood Stock Farm to Fred A. Keller and Rosa Anna (Grossheider) Keller, the sixth son in a family of eight children, seven brothers and one sister. The one sister and one brother died before he was born, so he grew up in a family of six boys. Roy married Eldora Erma Simpher, his high school sweetheart, on August 14, 1949.
He graduated from Southeast State Missouri University in 1950 and started his high school teaching career only to be interrupted by the Korean War. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and because of his college education he received a direct commission. He attended electronics school in Biloxi, Miss., and was sent to Mt. Clemens, Mich., as the head of an AC&W (Aircraft &Warning) Squadron. He left active duty in 1954 and continued in the Reserves and then he was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1964. After that he served as a civilian consultant to the AF for the next nine years at Eglin AFB in Florida. Eglin AFB was the home of the USAF Mathematical Services Laboratory where new weapons were tested. They made good use of Roy’s math and computer science and electronics knowledge during his years there.
During his time in electronics school in Mississippi he developed a strong interest in computing and electronics and continued that career path. He obtained his master’s and PhD from the University of Missouri where he set up their first computer center as a graduate student and was named full director upon his graduation in 1961.
In 1967 he moved to Iowa State University as a professor of math and computer science. In 1981 he moved to UNL as professor and chairman of the computer science and engineering department and retired in 1991 moving back to Columbia, Mo.
Roy was always active in sports. In retirement he excelled in golf (handicap of 7), hunting, slow pitch softball and wine making. He and Eldora enjoyed couples bridge, bowling, golf, dancing, gardening, and yardwork.
Roy is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Rose Keller; brothers, Irvin, Howard, Dewey, Quinton, Layton and Art; sister, Dorothy; and son, Clifford.
He is survived by his wife, Eldora; daughter, Jana (Steve) Schwarz; six grandchildren, three step grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Funeral will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1715 S. Jefferson St., Kearney, MO 64060, on December 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Alzheimer’s Assoc or Charitable Organization of your choice.
Arrangements are in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
