Although Charles Keller, the principal of Pioneer and Opportunity High Schools died early Friday morning, his life continues on in the students and adults whose lives he touched with his spirit of hope.
Keller, 59, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early January and was told he had a short time to live. Much of his pain was alleviated through medication.
He spent his remaining time at his Carson City home and was surrounded by his wife, Brenda, his daughter, Megan, and family friends in his last days. He died peacefully, according to Brenda.
Keller was known among Carson City School District administration, teachers and students for his commitment to finding opportunities and turning them into solutions.
"I have never met a person who cared about children so much," said Ridgely Reece, special-education teacher at Pioneer and Opportunity high schools. "He was patient and caring. The word he used so much was that we need to look for an 'opportunity' for students to succeed. He was just an incredible man."
Keller started working in the Carson City School District in 1990, first at Eagle Valley Junior High, now Eagle Valley Middle School, and then at Carson High School for several years in the mid-'90s where he became dean of students.
In the 1999-2000 school year, he went to the combined alternative high schools, Pioneer and Opportunity, as interim principal. Pioneer High School was then called Alternative Education, but soon, as principal, Keller brought forth a name and high standards.
"He's the one who gave Pioneer high school its identity," said school district Superintendent Mary Pierczynski. "He was very adamant about wanting the students to have their own identity. He organized the students to choose a name, to pick colors for their school and to have student leadership over there."
Keller implemented standards for the students, including passing the high school proficiency exam to graduate. He set academic standards, hired staff and masterminded the direction of the program. The results showed.
"Every year the graduating classes got larger," Pierczynski said. "Thirty-five students graduated last year. That was due to Charles Keller having expectations for these kids and the kids meeting them."
Keller was a life member of the Kiwanis, including a former president and former Lt. Gov. of the Cal-Neva District of Kiwanis International.
He was integral to many of the club's projects, like river clean-up, the scholarship program and fund-raising for the senior center.
"Charlie had the ability to see the positive side of everybody he came in touch with," said co-Kiwanian and friend Dr. Tom Gibbons. "He was able to change the lives of those around him."
He was on the advisory board for the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, an elder at the First Presbyterian church and a U.S. Swimming official. His daughter Megan is now on the swim team at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss.
Surviving are his wife; daughter; stepmother Lois of Jonesboro, Ark.; and brothers Al of Memphis and Danny of DeSoto, Texas.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 19 in the gymnasium at Carson High School.
n Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.
Memorial funds are being established at U.S. Bank for The Megan Keller College Fund, account no. 15375181219 and for The Charles D. Keller Pioneer Memorial High School Scholarship, account no. 253750892791. The money in that account will go toward a scholarship for a Pioneer student.