KELLER, Deane G. Deane G. Keller, Noted artist and educator, of Marlborough, died suddenly on Tuesday, (January 4, 2005). Born August 1, 1940, he was the oldest son of Prof. Deane Keller and Katherine Hall Keller. He earned a BA degree from Yale University in 1962. He received his M.A. from St. Joseph College in West Hartford. He also studied in Florence, Italy and at the John Herron Art Institute. Deane was a professor of life drawing and anatomy at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in Old Lyme for 25 years. He was awarded the Charlotte Colby Danly Jackson Endowment for the Deane G. Keller Chair in Classical Drawing and Figurative Art and was Endowed Chair at Lyme Academy College. Deane also taught at the New York Academy of Art, Graduate School of Figurative Art in New York City, the Art Students League of New York, Hartford Art School of the University of Hartford and Woodstock School of Art. An accomplished artist, Deane's work is housed in several permanent collections, including the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Brandywine River Museum, Slater Memorial Museum, Woodstock School of Art, Thomas Merton Studies Center at Bellarmine University, Yale University, St. Raphael's Hospital, Asylum Hill Congregational Church and others. His work was widely exhibited throughout Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Indiana, Italy and elsewhere. Deane authored several articles, and published two books, Figure Drawing in the Academy Tradition 1890-1998 and the Draftsman's Handbook: A Resource and Study Guide for Drawing from Life whi ch is illustrated with Deane's work and was published in 2003. Deane is survived by his wife of 36 years, Dorothy Bosch Keller, a brother, Willliam B. Keller of Pennsylvania and his wife, Judith; his aunt, Constance Hall Jones and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Calling hours are Friday, January 7 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, at St. Patrick/St. Anthony Church, 285 Church St., in Hartford at 11:15 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested for the Deane G. Keller Scholarship Fund at Lyme Academy College of Fine Art, 84 Lyme St., Old Lyme, CT 06371 or the Deane G. Keller Art History Scholarship at Saint Joseph College, 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117.
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Kathleen O'Reilly
October 30, 2021
After a lovely visit with my Aunt Martha Keener who showed me Girl in a White Dress, I came to understand that one of my favorite teachers of all time, Mr. Keller from 1972-1977 at East Farms Elementary School, was such a renowned figure in the art world and art education. Finding this obituary, I see two EFES classmates Kevin Hardy and John Pavano also left a testimonial. I can still smell the tempura paint, see the kiln, and remember the erasure marks as he tried valiantly to teach us about perspective in drawing. Heaven has another amazing angel - I am so grateful to have known him and been his student for a short time.
kevin harty
January 23, 2005
Deane Keller, to me, will always be the consumate artist who captured with cutting artistic insight, the beauty and mystery of life. He had few equals.
Honest, true, and loving attention was reflective in his artwork as well as his person because he wanted to share himself, and that made a huge impression on me as a young artist. Artists can be selfish and not so giving, but Deane's unbounding spirit dispelled that notion because he was genuinely interested in people and their ideas, young and old.
All his gifts will continue to be appreciated. Thank you "Mr.Keller"!
your student, Kevin Harty
j pavano
January 23, 2005
i was in an antiques shop recently and was drawn to a landscape painting. as i got closer i noticed it was signed deane g keller. "mr keller," as we referred to him then, was my elementary art school teacher for a year or two at east farms school in farmington. mr keller, probably then in his 30's, was an innovative and creative art teacher. looking back i'm sure his patience was tried teaching art to a bunch of elementary school kids. i consider him an influence, even though my career as an artist lasted only my first two years of college! i am now the very proud owner of a beautiful landscape painting and a great story about a wonderful elementary school teacher, if anyone asks.
John Pototschnik
January 22, 2005
During my four months of instruction at the Lyme Academy I discovered the most generous, approachable, knowledgeable, and gifted teacher in all my years of study irregardless of subject. Deane, in you we have indeed lost a national treasure. I will never forget you.
May the blessing and peace of God be poured out abundantly upon you and your's Dorothy during this difficult time.
craig chivers
January 19, 2005
I cannot begin to imagine the numbers of young artists, like myself, who were profoundly influenced by Deane Keller. His light shone like a beacon to all of us who loved drawing and humanity. In life he was always in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers,
and now more than ever.
Brian Moneypenny
January 14, 2005
Dear Mrs. Keller I am just now finding out about the death of Dean your husband and the mentor to so many art students like myself. I studied under Dean at Lyme Academy. We all felt inspired watching him work. He had inspired my life and work at Lyme and his lessons, his kind words and advice live on with me and I am certain, with many others. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. I will never forget him.
Casey McGannon
January 11, 2005
Dear Dorothy - Words aren't enough to express how much you and Deane touched my life. I was so sorry to hear of his death. When you showed us slides in class, they were so clearly lenses into your life together. And I remember you leaving our "Architectural History of Hartford" class one hot, summer evening to celebrate your 25th anniversary. My thoughts are with you.
James Woolley
January 8, 2005
Dearest Aunt Dorothy,
We are greatly saddened by the passing of your husband Deane, he was a wonderful man, artist, teacher and uncle. He will be sorely missed by our family and the whole world. God gave him great talent and gifts, which he passed on to many and has made this a better world to live in.
May God bless you and comfort you in this time of sorrow, we will be thinking of you and praying for you. Take comfort in the many wonderful times you spent together exploring the world and making an impact in it. All those that have been touched by Deane's gentle sprit and worldly wisdom will miss him greatly.
All our Love and Condolences,
Jim and Alicia Woolley
Janice Williams
January 7, 2005
Dorothy,
I am sorry to hear of the sudden death of your husband. Be assured of my prayers for you and your family during this most difficult time.
Class of 1981 St. Joseph College
Stefanie Kihm
January 7, 2005
Dear Mrs. Keller,
My heart and prayers go out to you and your family for the loss of Deane. I was a student of his at the Lyme Academy. The school will never be the same without him. He will be greatly missed and remembered for his many gifts.
With sincere sympathy,
Stefanie Kihm
Jason Zimmer
January 7, 2005
My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to you, your family and to all the students and artists that Dean had touched. I was a student of his in New York and he has changed my life as an artist but also as a person. I loved him very much and I always told him that he was my Grandfather in the art world. My God be with you during this time.
Sharon Sanders Koch
January 7, 2005
The Lyme Academy community is profoundly saddened by this tremendous loss. As any former student would know, Deane had a special gift of being able to teach. I have spoken with current and former students and all say the same thing - if not for his expert, caring instruction, they would not be the artists they are today. We are grateful for his contributions to the college, and will miss him greatly.
Marcy Carlone
January 6, 2005
Prof. Keller,
My prayers and sympathies are with you during this most difficult and unexpected time. Having heard of Mr. Keller through stories you relayed in class showed just how much he was a force in your life - he always will be. May you find peace in cherishing the time you shared together.
Marcy Carlone
SJC '03
Michael & Carol Elias
January 6, 2005
We were both shocked and saddened to hear of Deane's passing. He was truly a dedicated and extremely talented artist. Michael is a better artist for having known him. We cherish the still life painting hanging in our living room which you had given us and will cherish it even more now. It shall remind us of him daily. May God grant you comfort in your loss.
Debby Rihm
January 6, 2005
Mrs. Keller,
I was sorry to hear of Mr. Keller's sudden death. Please know you are in my prayers.
Bette Goff
January 6, 2005
When the Lord calls our loved ones home, he leaves a gift of memories in exchange.
It was good to be able to spend some time together this past summer.
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