Robert Harold Keller

1927 - 2025

Robert Harold Keller

July 8, 1927 - September 27, 2025

MADISON - Robert Harold Keller passed away on September 27, 2025, at the age of 98.

Bob was born July 8, 1927, in Beaver Dam, Wis., to Ruth (Olson) Keller and Clarence Jacob Keller. He graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1945, where he played both tennis and basketball and formed lifelong friendships with Gerry Teletzke and Harlan Draeger.

After graduation, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Following training, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Hancock, but soon after his deployment, the war ended. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Wisconsin and enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, completing a degree in the Light Building program.

In 1953, after three years as a sales associate with McKenna & Gill, Bob began what became a long and successful career in real estate, including commercial brokerage, development and management. Much of his real estate life was centered around the Madison isthmus, and his office was never more than four blocks from the square. He developed, owned and managed numerous properties and was a leading advocate in urban mixed use real estate. He was a proud member of the Congress of New Urbanism, served several terms on the City of Madison Planning Commission and was president of the Madison Board of Realtors in 1957. He was named Realtor of the Year by the Madison Board of Realtors in 1968, and in 1969 he was appointed by Governor Warren Knowles to the Wisconsin Real Estate Examining Board and served a seven-year term until 1976.

In 1957, Bob married Jane Garvoille of Belleville, Wis. Together they had four sons and shared a wonderful life until Jane's passing in 1984.

In 1986, Bob married Cathy Kestle, beginning nearly 40 years of a joyful partnership full of travel, tennis and adventure.

While his passing brings sadness to those who knew and loved him, there is comfort in celebrating a life well lived. Beyond faith, family and career, Bob's passions included tennis, billiards, Gyro Club activities and cheering on his beloved Chicago Cubs. Part of his love for tennis led him to join with partners to build the Madison Racquet Club in 1972, which was sold to John Powless in 1980. Today it is still operating as the John Powless Tennis Center. In 2021 he founded the Madison 3-Cushion Billiard Club. A lifelong dream came true in 2016 when he was able to attend game seven of the world series and watch the Cubs win.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; and his first wife, Jane. He is survived by his wife, Catherine; sister, Mary Louise Copenhaver; sister-in-law, Annette Ruppert; sons, Thomas (Holly) Keller, James Keller, David (Debra) Keller and Daniel Keller; and stepsons, Timothy (Wendy) Kestle, Nicholas Kestle and Andrew Kestle. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Heather (Matthew) Marks, Lauren (Tucker) Saxon, Elizabeth (Peter) Medenwaldt and Michael Keller; his great-grandchildren, Sari Marks and Vivian Saxon; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery. A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted in Bob's name to Bethel Horizons, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, WI 53703 or Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711.

"He lived a life that was full. He traveled each and every highway." – Frank Sinatra

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761