Robert Lee Keckler

Robert Lee Keckler, 81, retired Kansas Department of Corrections employee, died May 8, 2026, at Presbyterian Manor. He was born June 29, 1944, at Halstead, Ks, the son of Victor Warren and Thelma Rita (Baker) Keckler. His father died in 1955. He graduated from Hutchinson Junior College in 1964, Oklahoma University in 1966, and the University of Oklahoma School of Law in 1969. He was admitted to the Oklahoma bar later that year and then entered the United States Army in January of 1970. He volunteered for service in the Republic of Viet Nam in 1971, and served 13 months there, after refusing a term cut after 8 months and then asking for a one-month extension in order to try a murder case. For his dedication to the performance of his duties in that theater, he was awarded the Bronze Star in 1972.

After his release from the military, he served the Tennessee Valley Authority and various title companies in Casper, WY and Denver, CO, where his mother and stepfather lived. In 1987, he resigned from those endeavors and moved to Hutchinson, KS, and was then employed by the Department of Corrections. In that capacity he was a Correctional Officer, a Corrections Counselor I and II, a Unit Team Manager and the Institutional Parole Officer for the El Dorado Correctional Facility, which he helped to open in 1991. In the latter capacity, among other awards, he was awarded the prestigious Ben Day Award, given by the Kansas Parole Board in 2005.

His interests were always reading, coin collecting, photography, wood-working and travel, particularly to historic and scenic areas in this country. During his lifetime, because of his love for the written word, history and politics, he donated many thousands of books to schools, libraries, correctional facilities and retirement homes in Wyoming, Kansas and Colorado, many of which he acquired at garage and estate sales, read and then passed on to others. In his retirement years he lobed travel, photography, visiting garage and estate sales and contributions to charitable organizations. He was also a volunteer to the Newton, Ks Friends of the Newton Public Library and contributed many items and also funds to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, the U.S.O. and other organizations.

He is survived by his brother, Steven Keckler of Denver, CO. 5 nieces and nephews and several grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his older brothers and sisters, Jere’ Allen Keckler, Victor Eugene Keckler, Karen Rae (Keckler) McIntosh and Vickie Diane (Keckler) Poe.

After cremation, he will be laid to rest in the Burrton, Ks Cemetery next to his father, mother and stepfather, Nathan Verlin.