Photo courtesy of Adams Funeral Chapel - Charleston
Jan 10, 1939 - Jan 19, 2018
I consider myself lucky to have had the privilege to work with Richard. He was a great advisor and really taught me to love science which ultimately shaped my future, and for that I will be forever grateful.
Rich Keaton
January 26, 2018 | Pearland, TX
Dear Ellen Ann, Eric and Lisa. We are so very sorry for your loss and have memories of meeting with Richard when you visited back up to Minnesota. What an amazing, full life of accomplishments! We wish you peace and comfort at this time.
Ernie & Judy Thomsen
January 26, 2018 | Vining, MN
We are saddened by the news of Richard's passing, and send our condolences and deepest sympathies to Ellen, Eric and Lise. We treasure the brief time we spent with him and Ellen on our visits to EIU campus.
Roger Perkins
January 25, 2018 | Wappingers Falls, NY
I am lucky to have you as my best professor, mentor, and friend. There are many good memories at EIU. You and Ellen's book: "Inorganic Chemistry" signed by you as a gift: "Best wishes to a good chemist and good friend" is always inspirational and an honor to me.
You will be missed and remembered.
Zhongjiang Jia
January 24, 2018 | Kennett Square, PA
Dear Ellen, Eric & Lise Our sincerest sympathy on the passing of your beloved Husband,Father & Grandfather Richard. May he rest in eternal peace.
Jerry & Jackie Bennett
January 23, 2018 | Charleston, IL
I will miss you dearly. You were a great brother and kept our family connected. I appreciate all your research on the family tree. Heaven has gained another angel.
Betty Hess
January 23, 2018 | Winchester, VA | Sister
I am so happy to have spent time with Uncle Dick and Aunt Ellen a few months ago. I really appreciate Dick taking the time to show us my mother's side of the family final resting place. Dick was a very inspirational man and touched many people's lives throughout life. I feel he certainly left the world a better place with all his research and knowledge. I will miss him.
Debra Bower
January 23, 2018 | Winchester, VA | Family
The FTD Peaceful Passage Arrangement
Debra Bower
January 23, 2018 | Winchester, VA
Charleston, IL - Dr. Richard L. Keiter, age 79 of Charleston, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2018 at his home. Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:30 pm on Friday, January 26 at Adams Funeral Chapel . A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 27 at 2:00 pm at Adams Funeral Chapel. Burial will be private. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations in his honor be made to the Richard L. & Ellen A. Keiter Undergraduate Research Fellowship at Eastern Illinois University, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Gifts may be left at the visitation or service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.
Richard was born on January 10, 1939 near Winchester, Virginia, a son of the late George Alvin and Irene Louise Funkhouser Keiter. He married Ellen A. Paulson on August 28, 1966 in Minnesota. In addition to his wife of 51 years, he is survived by a son, Eric Keiter and wife Christina Yovovich of Albuquerque, New Mexico; a daughter, Lise Keiter of Staunton, Virginia; a grandson, Thorfin Keiter of Albuquerque, New Mexico; a sister, Betty Keiter Hess of Winchester, Virginia; two brothers, Jack Keiter and wife Helen of Reston, Virginia; and Robert Keiter and wife Gloria of Winchester, Virginia; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Thomas Allen Keiter.
Richard studied one year at Shenandoah College and earned a B.S. in Chemistry at Shepherd College. He went on to earn an M.S. from West Virginia University, and a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Maryland. This was followed by two years of postdoctoral work at Iowa State University. He joined the faculty of Eastern Illinois University in 1969 and retired as Distinguished Professor Emeritus in 2007. During this period he also held visiting professorships at the University of Exeter in England, the University of Wisconsin, the University of Illinois, Colorado State University, and the University of Washington.
Always dedicated to mentoring students both in the classroom and in research, Richard touched the lives of countless undergraduate and graduate students, many of whom became coauthors of professional publications and went on to their own distinguished careers. Throughout his long career, he published more than 50 articles in national and international chemistry journals, and he and his wife Ellen also coauthored (with Jim Huheey) the highly-regarded textbook Inorganic Chemistry: Principles and Applications. He also received many awards and honors, including the Lawrence A. Ringenberg Award at Eastern Illinois University and the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation Scholar/Fellow Award. He was also elected to serve on the Council of Undergraduate Research, and in 2013, he received the prestigious honor of being named American Chemical Society Fellow.
While he continued to be active in research and publishing even after retirement, he also had a passion for family genealogy and more broadly in history and biography, and he sustained close connections with family, long-time friends, and former students. He will be fondly remembered for his unique combination of creativity, humor, and warmth by his family, friends, colleagues, and students.
Read More