Captain Russel Keller (USN, Ret.) Mt. Pleasant - Captain Russel Carl Keller, USN (Ret), 63, of Mount Pleasant, SC, husband to Christine Rihn Keller of 40 years, entered into eternal rest on February 28, 2021, after battling lupus for several months. Born on March 2, 1957, in Pittsburgh, PA, Russ was the son of the late Russel Clair Keller and Ethel Jean Keller. Following his graduation with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1979, he earned a Masters in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1988. Russ completed a 26 year career in the Navy's submarine force. Several at sea assignments culminated in his command of USS SPRINGFIELD (SSN761). He subsequently served in the Navy's Office of Legislative Affairs in Washington, DC, where he was a principal advisor to the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations. Russ' final active duty tasking was as the commanding officer of the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston, SC. A second career as part of Advanced Technology International (ATI) enabled Russ and his family to put down roots in the Lowcountry. He managed technology transfer and startup opportunities through public-private partnerships with chief responsibility for the company's Medical and Software Services division. This included serving as Senior Vice President for ATI and the Executive Director for the Global Alliance South Carolina, a private non-profit corporation created to stimulate education exchanges, research collaborations and business partnerships with stakeholders in South Carolina, Israel and Estonia. Russ valued the opportunity to serve in different roles at Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church. He was an active member and leader for international mission work through collaboration with Daystar University in Kenya. Russ also used his gift of music to lift worship services with the playing of his trumpet, alongside his daughter and son. Besides his wife, Russ is survived by his sister, Barbara Keller Gray and her husband, Ken; his daughter, Kathryn Keller Ellis with her husband, Robert Matthew Ellis and their children, Emma Ainsley and Benjamin Russel of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and his son, David Russel Keller with his wife, Michelle Elise McInnis of Greenville, SC. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2021, at 11 AM EST at Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, 302 Hibben St., Mt Pleasant, SC 29464. Those who are unable to attend may view the service via the church's Watch Live stream at www.mppc.net. Interment will take place at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Russ` memory may be sent to the Naval Academy Alumni Association; Foundation and Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church's endowment for local and international missions, which will benefit projects dear to Russ, such as Daystar University in Kenya and Bridge Builders in the Charleston area. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at https://www.mcalister-smith.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL & CREMATION, Mt. Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Rd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, (843) 884-3833. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Mar. 9 to Mar. 10, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Russel Keller

Sponsored by McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation - Mt. Pleasant Location.

5 Entries

Stephen Thies

April 9, 2021

Russ - you were my go to guy at ATI. Always helpful, always in a good mood. You left here too early. Save a spot for me on the other side.

All my sympathies to your family on their loss.

Abby Bauman

March 13, 2021

I had the privilege of working with Russ at ATI for a little over seven years. He was always someone I enjoyed working with and he always left you a little better than you were. I will miss him greatly but am thankful for the opportunity to have known him.

Nick Nichols

March 11, 2021

To Christine and the Keller family,

On behalf of the Charleston Base SUBVETS and Swamp Fox Chapter SUBVETS WWII, I offer you our sincere condolences on Russel's passing. We grieve with you on the death of your loved one and our shipmate. The SUBVETS will have your family in our thoughts and prayers. There is no expiration date on the back of our dolphins and Russell, who earned his 'fish' when he qualified in Submarines, will always be remembered as a "Brother of the Phin" and a great Patriot. BRAVO ZULU SHIPMATE!!

CAPT(SS) Russell Carl Keller
US Navy Submarine Veteran Retired
Now on Eternal Patrol
Sailor Rest Your Oar
Your Shipmates Have The Watch

Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate

Charleston Base Submarine Veterans
Nick Nichols, MTCM(SS) USN Ret.
Base Chaplain

David Vujevich

March 11, 2021

My sympathy to Russel's family. I grew up with Russel and his sister in our very unique neighborhood , Pgh. Pa. .
( Emma Drive.)
Tons of kids and we were all, for the most part, children of WWII veterans. Russ as I remember like to play chess with some of the other guys on his porch as well as pick-up baseball games at Richter's Field. Lots of very fond memories back then. I also remember Russ' mom saying that he and his sister were a full time job. Oh the good old days. Much simpler times back then. Again, my sympathy to the family.