Enfield Athletic Legend, WWII Navy Veteran Bob Keller Passes Away

ENFIELD, CT — Robert Keller, a member of the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame who served the town for many years as a teacher, coach and athletic director, passed away Sunday. He was 92.

Keller was a rare four-sport athlete in high school, competing in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was president of the Enfield High School Class of 1943, served on numerous school committees, and as a senior, he was voted most athletic, most popular and best all-around boy.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, playing baseball for his squadron team, and earned an invitation to try out for the Brooklyn Dodgers upon discharge from the service. He opted to enroll at Springfield College, majoring in education and playing varsity football for three years.

After earning his degree, he was hired as a physical education teacher at the Enfield Junior High School, then Kosciuszko Junior High School. He coached freshman football, basketball and track for many years at Kosciuszko and John F. Kennedy junior high schools before taking on the role of Coordinator of Physical Education, Athletics and Intramurals for the Enfield Public Schools.

He retired from the Enfield school system but remained quite active, becoming Facilitator of Athletics for the Somers school system for 10 years before retiring in 2000.

He received the Connecticut Association of Athletic Directors Distinguished Service Award in 1990, and was recognized with the National Athletic Association award for 20 years of service.

In 2000, he was elected to the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame, and later became a member of the Hall of Fame board of directors. He remained an active volunteer with that organization even after stepping down from the board, working annually at the Hall of Fame Celebrity Golf Classic until age 90.

"Bob Keller is a true legend in our town," Hall of Fame chairman Mike Cotnoir said. "There is hardly a student-athlete for over 20 years who was not positively impacted by his coaching or athletic expertise. He was a gentle giant who steered many of our athletes into greatness and positive role models for years to come. He was an accomplished athlete himself who transcended many generations. His longstanding gift was his presence and leadership to the town and our athletes. A true legend who always gave 100 percent to the kids and wanted them to succeed. He is the definition of a Hall if Famer, and will be sorely missed by all here in the area."

Several former coaches who worked for Keller shared a common theme of him being the consummate gentleman.

Longtime Enfield baseball and basketball coach Bob Bromage, who coached nearly 40 years in town, said, "It was all about the kids and the programs, and never about him. He was the most conscientious AD I ever worked for. If it was a rainy day, he'd be out walking the fields at 7:30 or 8 a.m. He was also a true gentleman."

Current Enfield town council member Bob Cressotti was hired by Keller to start the girls soccer program at Enfield High School in the early 1980s, his first high school coaching job. He later was hired for baseball and basketball coaching positions.

"He was an outstanding gentleman at all times, and an avid supporter of athletics and his coaches," Cressotti said. "He was very calm and reasonable in any situation, and I thoroughly enjoyed working for him."

Fellow Hall of Fame inductee Marian Dippel, who began her coaching career in the late 1970s, said, "He was a gentle giant in his belief in what Enfield athletes should aspire to be."

"A true gentleman......he loved teaching and coaching and sharing his skills!! Enjoyed him as a colleague and boss!!!" said longtime physical education teacher Kitty Newsam.

Keller was predeceased by his beloved wife of over 60 years, Martha, in 2008. He is survived by seven children, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Calling hours are scheduled for Thursday, June 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Road, Enfield. Family and friends may gather on Friday, June 15 at 9 a.m. at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels for a procession to St. Patrick Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Patrick King Street Cemetery.

Photos courtesy of Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame, yearbook clipping courtesy of Enfield Historical Society via archive.org

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