Walter L. “Pat” Keller

Dec 4. 1918 - Nov 11, 2017

Walter L. “Pat” Keller, 98, a 65-year resident of Palo Alto, passed away Nov. 11, 2017 at Grant Cuesta Nursing and Rehab Hospital in Mountain View. He was a World War II Veteran, an Architect, a Master Swimmer, husband, parent, grandparent and great-grandparent. Pat was born December 4th, 1918 in Washington, DC to Oscar and Esther Keller. He lived in Roanoke, VA until he was eight years old, when he moved with his family to Honolulu in what was then the U.S. Territory of Hawaii. In 1937, Pat graduated from Roosevelt High School in Honolulu. He went to the University of Oregon and graduated in 1942 with a degree in Architecture. Immediately after graduating, Pat enlisted in the Army Air Corps. During World War II, he served as an Air Traffic Controller in Burma, India and China and rose to the level of Captain. After WWII, Pat married Mary Ruth Runner of Seattle Washington in 1946. They settled first in Menlo Park and then moved to Palo Alto in 1952. Pat’s Architectural career in the Bay Area spanned 65 years. He first worked for Arthur D. Janssen, Architect, which became Janssen, Daseking and Keller and later Keller and Daseking. His Architectural practice includes a variety of public and private buildings around the Peninsula. Pat maintained his Architectural practice from his office in Menlo Park until he was 95.

While growing up in Hawaii, Pat surfed Waikiki Beach and acquired a lifelong love of the ocean and swimming. He was a member of the Rinconada Masters Swim Club for 48 years. Pat was an AllAmerican Master Swimmer in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He was the Pacific Master Swimmer of the Year in the 90 to 94 category in 2009 and again in the 95 to 99 category in 2015.

Pat was a member of the Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Menlo Park Kiwanis Club and the Palo Alto First Congregational Church.

Pat is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Runner Keller, his sister, Dorothy Bell, step-daughter Sally Brygger Keller and son-in-law Bradley Arthur Wilson. He is survived by his sons, John W. Keller of Palo Alto, Bruce Keller (Donna Eldridge) of Narberth PA, daughter Katherine “Kate” Wilson (Brad) of Palo Alto, grandchildren Stephanie, Blake, Courtney and Max and great grandchildren, Raleigh and Bradley and his girlfriend Barbara Finnigan, of Hillsborough, CA, for whom he had great affection.

Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Palo Alto VA Hospital and Grant Questa Nursing and Rehab Hospital with a very special thanks to Angelica.