Obituary of Raleigh Keeter

Niskayuna- Raleigh F. Keeter, 87 of Niskayuna, who was a beloved father, grandfather and devoted friend to many, died August 7, 2013 at Ellis Hospital after a brief illness with his loving family by his side. Raleigh was born in Arcadia, FL. on December 6, 1925 and was the son of the late Greenville and Nellie Felton Keeter. He attended Desoto High School graduating with the class of 1943 and was highly regarded by many. He then enlisted in the US Army during WWII as a member of Company B 62nd Signal Battalion as a Technician 4 and Expert Rifleman. He proudly served in Japan, Italy and the Philippines and was honorably discharged in November 1946. Raleigh then attended the University of Florida graduating in 1949 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. His name is on the Gator Wall of Fame for academic excellence. He began his nearly 40 year career as an Electrical Engineer for the General Electric Company beginning in Philadelphia, then Fitchburg, MA before moving to Schenectady joining the Steam Turbine Division, spending many of these years in Building 273 before retiring in 1988. While working in Fitchburg, MA he met the love of his life, Jane Durling, and they married on June 6, 1954. They had three children Gary, Tim and Betsy but sadly Gary passed away before the age of 3 from a heart defect. One thing that brought him countless hours of joy was his active involvement in his community. He was an avid Amateur Radio Operator, lifetime member of the Schenectady Amateur Radio Association, member of the First United Methodist Church for over 60 years, member of the American Legion Post 1092 for 21 years, and volunteer with the Schenectady Museum of Innovation and Science. Raleigh also volunteered his experience as an amateur radio operator as a member of the Schenectady County Emergency Response System for many years. If Raleigh wasn't volunteering, you could find him playing a round of golf or having lunch with dear friends. Raleigh was also a lifelong Florida Gator Fan and was proud to wear his Gator attire in public which caused endless hours of grief to his nieces who are FSU alumni. He was predeceased by his wife Jane, his brother Spence, and son Gary. He was a proud father of Timothy Keeter, of Swampscott, MA and his daughter Betsy Root of Hudson Falls, NY. He leaves behind four grandchildren, Andrew and James Keeter of Swampscott, MA and Kristen and Leah Root of Hudson Falls, NY. He was also the proud uncle to Sharon Fowler, Mary Echave, Sally Wilhite and Howard Keeter and well as their children. Calling hours will be held Monday, August 12 from 5 to 7pm at the Daly Funeral Home on 242 McClellan Street in Schenectady, NY. Services will be held Tuesday morning at 11:30am at the First United Methodist Church, 306 State St. Burial will immediately follow at the Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY at 1:30pm. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society as well as The First United Methodist Church of Schenectady.