WESTLOCK — The Westlock and baseball communities are mourning the passing of former long-time resident Helmut Otto “Chuck” Keller, on Aug. 2.
Keller was a much-loved teacher, vice-principal, ball player, coach and community leader who left a lasting impact in the Town of Westlock and is being remembered for his service to the community, his volunteer work, leadership and especially, for his passion and love for baseball.
Keller was instrumental in forming an organized baseball league in northwestern Alberta, and many came to know of his athletic talents and passion for the game.
The North Central Alberta Baseball League (NCABL), the same league that his beloved Westlock Red Lions belong to, are sharing in the community’s loss.
“We mourn the loss of a long-time friend and pillar of the league and community of Westlock. We are deeply saddened by his loss,” read a statement from the NCABL. “Chuck Keller worked tirelessly and proudly for the community of Westlock and for the game that he loved. Keller helped to build the game by exemplifying good sportsmanship as an elite player and by contributing his time and talents in many areas within the sport of baseball.”
League commissioner Paul Riopel, shared a friendship with Keller that lasted more than 57 years. He noted how the two of them worked to formalize the (NCABL) league and the many accomplishments and contributions Keller had, including the recipient of the Ken Schultz Memorial Award in 1996 and those outside of baseball, in other sports and service clubs in the community.
“Chuck was always involved in the promotion of healthy living and that included promoting many other sports besides baseball,” said Riopel. “He was primarily known for baseball, that was his great love and that’s where his own personal skillset was most evident, but he was a very-well rounded individual and his contributions extended beyond the sporting world,” he added. “All of his skills were put to the service and benefit of the people of the community, whom he loved dearly.”
Before the Keller family left for Ontario in 2019 the Town of Westlock awarded Chuck and his wife Donna, with special recognition for their volunteerism and commitment to the community.
Another part of Keller’s legacy included his work with minor ball in the region. Red Lions general manager Jordan Brand shared memories of the ball camp he attended as a youth and now participates in every spring as a member of the Red Lions.
“I remember as a child doing some camps that Chuck Keller put on through the Red Lions,” said Brand. “It’s one of those legacies that we want to keep carrying on. To keep (encouraging) baseball in Westlock and the love of the game.”
Brand noted Keller’s teachings on respect for the game and respect for peers and higher-ups and pointed out that Keller’s jersey number 13 is one of several former Red Lion players whose number adorns the ball diamond, his namesake, Keller Field.
Close friend and fellow Red Lion alumnus, Dean Fagnan, who was coached by Keller, noted his work behind the scenes with the team and the league and remembers Keller as a man who always “stepped up” to help in a quiet, unassuming way.
“The Red Lions were more than just a ball team. It was a culture, it was a brotherhood and a family and Chuck really instilled that,” said Fagnan, noting the lessons of passion, commitment, hard work and determination, they learned from Keller. “By far, the greatest lesson was just getting something done,” he added, sharing a few words following the NCABL championship final that saw the Red Lions win their 19th league championship on Aug. 24.
“He had such an impact. The Red Lions are (51) years of running strong and if you wanted to win for somebody, it was Chuck Keller because of that selflessness that he always showed,” said Fagnan. “It’s very, very, fitting on this year, that the Red Lions go out, work hard (and win). There was probably a little bit of Chuck there helping them.”
