Kent Keller RIP 10 April 2011

Bernie Baake · **Posted:** Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:48 am

My friend and thscc track instructor Kent Keller succumbed to cancer last night at about 5:30pm. His three year battle against this disease is finally over. He passed quietly at home in the arms of his wife Anne. I'll miss him.
His expertise in racing and instructing was his hallmark. he raced in Trans Am, IMSA, 12hrs of Sebring, numerous SCCA pro races and also circle track at OCS, South Boston and other local tracks. His favorite track however was VIR full.
Rest in peace

jakepressley · **Posted:** Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:13 am

I was lucky enough to get to know Kent and Anne in the last few years.

My thoughts will be with Anne during this tough time.

RIP Kent...

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:46 am

A good guy and someone I called a friend. He will be missed.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:54 am

That's some really sad news. I spent my last few track days sitting next to their trailer. Anne was my instructor a few events ago at VIR.

Gwen Habenicht · **Posted:** Mon Apr 11, 2011 2:08 pm

Kent and I had a unique friendship of nearly 30 years. We both enjoyed reminding others that we had known each other longer than our own spouses. Kent was a true character, and the huge volume of stories from and about him will keep all of us who knew him laughing fondly for many years to come. So, in some ways, Kent will go on living with us forever. He will truly be missed by us all. Because we shared the same birthday, and age, I'm glad to have spent this last one in February with him, Ann, and other friends in his home.

Gwen

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

wow, i'm so sorry to hear of his passing. i met anne a couple of years ago when she was my instructor, which means i met kent shortly thereafter. after that they always welcomed me to have a seat and chat next to the trailer, and he never failed to share a few good stories. it was only later that i learned of his time in the military and racing career. rest in peace kent, and best wishes to those that knew and loved him.

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:11 pm

Kent was the first instructor to ever let me loose when I had 600+hp in the Cobra. I'll never forget him telling me when coming out of Oak Tree and heading down the back straight on VIR Full,

"This time, you don't f***ing lift until I tell you to lift! Understood?"

Needless to say, I lifted and he called me out on it. By the end of the day, he was pushing me hard enough to overheat the differential in the car. Good times, good times!!!!

I caught sight of him in the paddock last month at VIR and made certain to circle back around and chat with him for a few minutes. Glad I did, damn glad I did.

Rest in peace, Kent. God Bless! Anne will be in my prayers.

-Kevin

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Apr 11, 2011 11:43 pm

sorry to hear this Bernie. may he rest in peace. Kent would always offer some advice whenever he saw my Z06 at the track albeit the few times it was. my condolences to his wife and family.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Tue Apr 12, 2011 1:56 pm

Bernie,
I for one am glad you and Gwen were able to be there for Kent and Anne. He was a great guy and glad I got to hang out with him over the years.

My thoughts go out to his whole family.

clinehall · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:27 am

A life way to short but it was well lived.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/anne-kell ... 2186413252

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Wed Apr 13, 2011 3:21 pm

Here is a story WRAL did featuring Kent. http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4326513/ The video shows Kent landing his 727 with only one wheel down.

Gwen Habenicht · **Posted:** Sat Oct 15, 2011 9:51 am

For those of you who still remember Kent Keller, and who doesn't, if you ever met him, here are a couple of photos from his full honors military funeral yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery. He was buried in his racing helmet. Amazing, that an hour before the funeral it was miserable and pouring rain. About 30 family and friends made the trip to be there.

Bernie Baake · **Posted:** Sat Oct 15, 2011 10:30 am

This was the first funeral I've attended at Arlington National Cemetery. What a beautiful place, and fitting for those who have served their country, overlooking Washington as it does.
The military sure looks after their own in this instance. More than a fifty member contingent with honor guard, band, caisson, riflemen and lone bugler were in attendance and they all played their parts in the ceremony to perfection. As the chaplin stated, he honored the flag by serving under it and now the flag would honor him, and so it did. The 21 gun saulte fired in three volleys of seven and the lone bugler playing taps at the end of the ceremony was so poignant that no one could even take pictures of him. I will miss my friend and I'm glad I didn't miss his funeral it was truely an awesome send off.
RIP

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:17 am

Beautiful, Gwen. Thank you for posting. Dawn and I both plan on being buried in Arlington.

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Kent Keller RIP 10 April 2011

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