By Sara StrongOne of Luverne’s biggest cheerleaders has died at the age of 84 from pneumonia. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in January.Dr. Bob Keitel is notable for playing a big part in getting Luverne on the musical map, being one of the founders of Tri-State Band Festival. Luverne is now famous for the annual event that draws thousands to watch marching band parade and field shows.Keitel was known to most in Luverne as a long-time optometrist, but his impact on the community spread far beyond his eye doctor’s office.He was active in many facets of the community including the Jaycees, the Chamber of Commerce, the Girl and Boy Scouts, founding the Red Arrow fund-raising drive, a founding member of the Luverne Music Boosters, member of the Masonic Lodge where he served as Chaplin, First Presbyterian Church Sunday School teacher and superintendent and church elder, Commander of the local American Legion post, life member of the VFW and judge of the Voice of Democracy contest. He received the Community Service Award from the Legion, and the Rotary’s highest award, the Paul Harris Fellow. Keitel served in the Korean War and was continually proud of his country. He organized the Legion Post’s Boys and Girls County Day to acquaint students with their county government and judicial system. City father, but wonderful dadKeitel’s four children were prepared for his death, and admired the strength and grace their father showed at the Hospice Cottage, in Luverne.Lisa Keitel said, "In the last few months, Dad would often ask, "How did I get so lucky to have such great kids?’ My answer to him was easy, ‘We couldn't be anything else, Dad, we learned from the best."Dayle Keitel Haglund said, "People don’t think of death as a positive thing, but if there was a person who could make it so, it was Dad."Keitel’s son, Bill, said he admired his father for living by the old saying that people can be as happy as they want to be. "In the later days of his life, we knew and he knew that his life was coming to an end," Bill said. "He took me aside and said his life was as full as an ocean and that the last few weeks had been just a couple waves."Dayle said her dad’s constant kindness set him apart from most. "He was always thoughtful and mindful of others," she said.He recognized other’s accomplishments and sent note cards from his optometric office, congratulating people who were in the newspaper.Dayle said she was taught to pursue her dreams and follow desires in education and career. "He taught us to venture forth but know that Luverne is home," she said.Bill is emulating his father in taking on leadership roles in his community, Worthington. He’s established the town’s lake as a windsurfing hotspot and has organized the upcoming U.S. Windsurfing National Championship there.Mary Jane Keitel said, "I think my dad's community service was also a result of his own intellectual curiosity. He loved to learn new things, and his involvement with various groups offered different perspectives and new information for him to consider. He always tried to make sense of world events and his place in the world by reading and talking to people."Service above selfAs a Rotarian, Keitel often served as a public relations spokesperson, but was formally known as Sergeant at Arms. Keitel was especially proud of his time as president of the Rotary, when the club first started an exchange student program in 1957.Jim Harner, fellow Rotarian, said, "He was a good booster of the Rotary and was just a good member. He was always there."In his church, First Presbyterian of Luverne, he was an elder and on the Historical Committee and did some writing for the church history.Rock County Historical Society President Betty Mann said Keitel’s interest in history reached beyond the church and he liked to know what was currently going on in the county.Mann said, "He was just a fixture around here with his pipe."Lucille Getman, Luverne, was Keitel’s aunt by marriage, but grew to see him as a "brother." Getman’s husband, Ken, was also a founder of Tri-State Band Festival and the two families were always close. Getman said Keitel turned into a father figure for her four children when Ken died 30 years ago."He had a great warmth and understanding of people, loved visiting with them and always tried to bring out the best in people," Getman said. "He had a droll sense of humor and was fun to be with."Besides being personally attached to Keitel, Getman said she knows the community will miss him. "He gave everything he had to everything he did."Keitel’s patriotism was also notable. It didn’t waiver based on current events or political trends.Getman said, "He was proud to have served his country and raised the flag every day near his home. It didn’t matter where he was at 5 o’clock, he went to take down that flag." Services for Keitel are 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, Luverne.
