Daniel Vincent Keller

July 27, 1960 to February 14, 2023

Dan Keller was born in Portland on July 27th, 1960 to John Robert Keller, a University of Portland English Professor and to Ann Mary Sheridan, a Homemaker and then later the Librarian for Central Catholic High School. Dan was the third of seven children, five boys and two girls.

Dan went to the Madeleine Grade School in Northeast Portland. He was a funny kid and often had his classmates and family in stitches. He loved comedy and would sneak out of bed at nearly midnight to quietly watch the Johnny Carson show while the family slept. One April Fool’s Day, he rigged up a sewing machine pedal and a tape recorder placing the gadget under a chair cushion in the living room so that throughout the day anyone that sat in the chair would be surprised as the chair talked to them saying, “please get off of my cushion!”

After Dan’s grade school days, he went to U.S. Grant High School and also got a job as a box boy at Kienow’s Grocery Store on Northeast 33rd Avenue near Broadway. The store had a loyal following and the motto was, “We’re the friendliest store in town”. The owner, Mr. Young, was very good to the employees. Dan went on to become a checker and eventually was the Produce Manager. His fellow employees appreciated his hard work and enjoyed his humor. In 1997, Mr. Young passed on and the store was eventually sold and closed in 1999.

Dan decided to go in a new career direction and went back to school to become a Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Counselor. Well known aspects of his personality were his calmness, fairness, kindness and humility which he had an unusual amount of. These qualities were suited to his new profession.

After working as a Counselor for many years, Dan went back to school once again to learn web site design and became a free-lance web site designer for a time.

As the years went on, he applied his skills to many social and community activist causes, among them; Working for America, Suicide Prevention Hotline, and Mental Health support for the Occupy Wallstreet Movement. At his core, Dan was a social activist who fought for workers’ rights, human rights, and the underdog in general.

Dan, at times, traveled for work to the East Coast where he enjoyed exploring the various cities and observing the architecture. Back home in Portland he did the same walking through many neighborhoods and he read about local architecture. He was a fan of the work of A.E. Doyle who coincidently designed the Central Library where Daniel would visit.

His most recent work was as a Canvassing leader for Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Membership. He spoke with many Portlanders and was a great conversationalist. He liked their dogs too that he met along the way, and they liked him back – he was only bitten a couple of times! He was a reliable and dedicated worker, yet at the same time, looked forward to retirement. Dan decided to retire in 2022 and much appreciated his newfound time and freedom.

While Dan didn’t subscribe to any one religion, he was most closely aligned with Buddhism. He had a daily meditation practice, believed in living simply with an emphasis of giving to others, being kind and treading lightly on the earth.

Dan was a supportive son, sibling and companion always making himself available when called on for help – advice, repairs, gardening, moving, dog, and housesitting - and he expected nothing in return.

This past Valentine’s Day, February 14th, Dan was walking home from the grocery store to his condo in St. John’s and just short of arriving there, his heart gave out suddenly. On hearing of his passing a friend of his commented, “He was exceptionally kind. How appropriate he left on Valentine’s Day because he had such a beautiful heart”.

Dan was preceded in death by his father, John R. Keller, and his brother, Paul T. Keller.

He is survived by his mother, Ann Mary Sheridan, his siblings, Mary C. Abplanalp, John D. Keller, Greg G. Keller, Martha E. Ramsey, Peter J. Keller and their families as well as by Aunts, Cousins and Nieces and Nephews.

Private Burial Ceremony will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Portland with arrangements by Zeller’s.

A memorial gathering will take place on April 1st, 12:30PM – 2:30PM at the Abplanalp’s residence. For more details, please contact Mary Abplanalp at: [email protected]