Henry "Hank" Keller
1925 - 2022
Obituary
Henry (Hank) Francis Keller, Jr., of Syracuse, NY passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on August 26, 2022.
Henry was born June 12, 1925, the eldest of three children of Henry Francis Keller. Sr. and Frances Marie Birx in New Albany, IN, where he was raised. Henry was a decorated WWII Veteran. After high school, Hank enlisted in the US Army 1943, served in the European Theatre of World War II, 401st Field Artillery Battalion, Staff Sergeant, Chief of the Firing Battery, served throughout France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He was a proud member of the local American Legion, Skaneateles, NY. In 1950, Hank obtained his Engineering degree from Purdue University. President of TKE Fraternity. After graduate training at Caterpillar, Peoria, IL, in 1951 his career began at American Standard in Louisville, KY. In May 1952, he married his first true love and began raising their family in New Albany, IN. In 1962, they moved their family to Syracuse, NY. Hank joined Allied Chemical Corp., Solvay as a research metallurgist; 1967, he became a Corrosion Metallurgist Specialist with Carrier Corp, Syracuse, NY. Hank served as President of ASM International Chapters in Louisville, KY and Syracuse, NY; George Sachs Memorial Lecturer at ASM Symposium. He was an Adjunct Professor of Materials Engineering at Syracuse University. 1987 Hank retired from UTC/Carrier Corp., became a Corrosion Consultant to Carrier Corporation and other companies. He married his second love in May 1990. They eventually moved to Otisco Lake to enjoy many years of their “little slice of heaven”. Hank was blessed to have found love twice.
He was preceded by his loving first wife, Anita Maire (Huber) of Bardstown, KY (1987) and his second devoted wife, Charlotte Anna (Sessner) of Milwaukee, WI (2018); brother Robert Keller, brothers-in-law Vann Johnston, Edward Huber, John McCulloch, and Charles Monin; sisters-in-law - Rosalie Monin, Margie Huber, and Ella Marie Keller; nephew Mark Keller, grandson, Elliott Wallace, and aunt Thelma Stumler.
Henry is survived by his six children, Henry (Judy) Keller (IN), Philip (Susan) Keller (IN), Kathleeen (Michael) Heller (NC), Frances Keller (Douglas) Allen, Julia (John) Sheridan, and Kurt (Lynda) Keller of Syracuse; 22 grandchildren, Anna (Drew) Snodderly, Rosalie Keller, Karol Keller, Clare (Justen) Hug, Bridget (Trey) Tyler, Scott (Sarah) Keller, Karen Keller, Katrina (Bryan) Faison, Kristan (Tony) Malvasi, Kaitlyn (Andy) Steszewski, Patrick Heller, Grant (Erica) Allen, Birx (Andy) Nolan, Douglas Allen, Jr., Emma Allen, Philip (Christina) Sheridan, Nicholas Sheridan, Julianna Sheridan, Timothy Sheridan, Cecilia Sheridan, Katherine Keller, Carolyn Keller, and 14 great-grandchildren; and two step-daughters, Sandi (Robert) York (OH), and Janet Hertig (Rob Sorrin) (WI). A sister, Ellen McCullough (MN); sisters-in-law Norma Huber, Patricia Johnston, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Hank was a devout Catholic and a member of Most Holy Rosary Church of Syracuse, NY and St. Mary’s of the Lake, Skaneateles, NY. Hank’s family wishes to thank close family friends Laura Suarez and Kathy Spicer for their steadfast love, care and friendship over the years. As well as, Dr. Jeffrey Carlberg & staff, along with the local VA Medical Services, Team Red for their exceptional care and attention. Also, a special thank you to Hospice of CNY for the compassionate, tender care offered to Henry and his family when needed most. Deep appreciation to Father Foley and Father Kurgan for their personal attention to Henry’s spiritual needs and for their prayers and support.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy (in memory of Henry) be given to one of the following… -The Henry “Hank” Keller (MSE ‘50) Strategic Initiative Endowment in Materials Engineering, Purdue Foundation, Gift Processing, PO Box 772401, Detroit, MI 48277-2401 - Spafford Area Historical Society, checks payable to - SAHS - mail to: Dave Hampson, 1769 Shady Bend Lane, Skaneateles, NY 13152. Make a notation: Side Hill School - Hank Keller. - Hospice of CNY, 990 7th N St. Liverpool, NY 13088.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, September 9th, 11:30am, at Holy Cross Church, 4112 East Genesee Street, DeWitt, NY 13214. Burial immediately following at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 4100 East Genesee St., DeWitt, NY 13214 The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 8th, 4-7pm at Edward J. Ryan and Sons Funeral Home, 3180 Bellevue Ave, Syracuse, NY 13219.