Dee Keller, professor emerita
Dee Keller, 86, professor emerita of sociology and social work, died Feb. 20. Dee joined Manchester’s sociology and social work faculty in 1978 and taught for nearly two decades. She developed Manchester’s gerontology minor, focused much of her research on gerontology and performed community service work that improved the lives of older people in North Manchester and the surrounding area.
She graduated from Oberlin College in 1955. She earned a Master of Social Work and a master’s degree in public administration from Ohio State University, as well as a master’s degree in linguistics from the University of Michigan. She earned a Ph.D. in social work from Ohio State.
She and her husband, Robert, longtime dean of academic affairs, were strong advocates for multicultural diversity, social and economic justice, and peacemaking. After they retired, the Kellers led Brethren Colleges Abroad programs in China, Japan and India.