Service went well beyond tennis court with Chuck Keller
The Washington County legal community lost an icon and a guiding light Thursday when Charles Keller died, a month before his 95th birthday. He and the late Ralph Peacock founded the law firm Peacock Keller & Ecker in 1950, the beginning of Keller’s 67-year career as an attorney in his native county. He officially retired last July, bringing his trademark friendly demeanor in the office to the end.
His impact, however, extended well beyond the courtrooms and the firm’s six offices. Keller was a dedicated philanthropist who believed that “loving mankind,” more so than money, was at the root of giving. He was a key figure in launching Washington County Community Foundation, a philanthropic nonprofit run by Betsie Trew, who called him “my mentor” and said Keller “taught me about philanthropy, about what I do.”
Keller also was involved with Rotary International for decades, once serving as president. His duties took him around the world. Tom Northrop, publisher of the Observer-Reporter, said of Keller: “The Rotary motto is ‘Service Above Self.’ That’s how Chuck lived his life.”
His desire to serve the public went beyond those endeavors. The attorney, born in California, Pa., where he lived most of his life, also served as president of the Washington County Easter Seal Society, Mon Valley United Way, Mon Valley Hospital, Mon Valley Health and Welfare Council, Washington County Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association and California Area Chamber of Commerce.
And speaking of service … when he had time, Keller also was an avid and capable tennis player.
He began to display his leadership skills as a young man, when he not only earned a bachelor’s degree at California State Teachers College – now California University of Pennsylvania – but received an award for involvement in school clubs and activities. His drive to succeed continued during World War II, when Keller was an Army Air Corps pilot. He flew 35 missions over Western Europe, one of which ended when he and his crew survived a direct hit from German guns.
Keller returned from the war to attend the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his law degree and headed down his professional path – and so many other paths.
As an attorney, he was known for his professionalism and ability to remain cool in what could be a heated environment. Rick Amrhein, managing partner of Peacock Keller & Ecker, told the O-R’s Rick Shrum last week: “He was a gentleman. I don’t recall seeing him lose his temper. He had a really good sense of humor. He liked to tell people, ‘I go from California to Washington every day for work.'”
Chuck Keller left a mark on many people – an indelible mark. Kathy Sabol is among that number. On Friday, the executive director of the Washington County Bar Association expressed a sentiment that was likely commonplace throughout the weekend: “He will be much missed. People call him a pillar of the community. I feel no one can replace that pillar.”