Rev. Robert William Herrmann-Keeling, 84, died peacefully at his home in Middletown, CT on February 2, 2022. He was born in Rugby, ND on January 5, 1938 to Dr. Wilbur and Jennie (Ferguson) Keeling. Bob was a graduate of Valley City State Teachers College in ND, Andover Theological School in MA, and the University of Connecticut. He was ordained in the United Church of Christ in CT in 1962 and received his doctorate in 1976. He served churches in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, and served as a missionary with Mandan and Arikara people in North Dakota. Later he worked with Parents Anonymous then directed the state-wide child abuse emergency system for the state of Connecticut. After doctoral work introduced him to Adlerian psychology, he established the LifeCourse Institute of Adlerian Psychology.
“Grandpa Bobby” to several, “Dr. Bob” to others, “Bob” to most, and “Dad” to a fortunate few, he lived a full life on his own terms right until the end. An inveterate stamp collector, he was as likely to ask strangers if they sang and waitstaff where they went to school as he was to watch a decades-old UConn women’s basketball game he’d saved to DVD or purchase yet another printer or the latest gadget at the nearest office supply store. He was a longtime member of the Hartford Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of BarberShop Quartet Singing in America; an influential Adlerian psychologist; the founder and creator of Universitatis Hardus Knockus; an artist who worked in media ranging from drawing to stained glass to bonsai; a collector of Tarzan books; a proud North Dakotan; a father of four, grandfather of eight, and great-grandfather of one.
In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by brothers John Charles and Stephen Keeling, and former wife Evelyn Herrmann-Keeling. He is survived by his children: Christopher Keeling (wife Carrie) of Oviedo, FL; Jonathan Keeling (wife Gargi) of Soquel, CA; Kathryn Keeling Brown (husband Jason) of Haddam, CT; Scott Herrmann-Keeling (wife Amy Redfield) of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren Katja, Christopher, Ethan, Emi, Ryan, Isabella, Simon, and Georgia; great granddaughter Amelia.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver Street, Middletown, CT.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s memory to the Hartford Men in Harmony chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society or North American Society of Adlerian Psychology.
