Allen George Keller, Teacher, Coach,
Avid Nascar Fan, 76
DOVER, DE - Allen George Keller, "George" passed away Friday, August 12, 2022 at Kent General Hospital after an extended illness. He was 76 years of age.
Mr. Keller was born August 10, 1946 in Kane, Pennsylvania to the late John Keller and Ruth McAllister Keller. He grew up in Smethport, PA. and graduated from Smethport High School. After high school, he followed in his mother's footsteps and became a teacher. He attended Mansfield State College where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education. He later obtained his Master's Degree in Administration at Washington College.
Due to a new racetrack opening in Dover and his love for stock car racing, Mr. Keller accepted a teaching position at Dover High School in 1969. He served as an 11th grade history teacher and administrator for 30 years in the Capital School District. He was the head coach for the Dover High School golf team and during his tenure, amassed 14 State Championships, including 7 consecutive titles from 1991-1997. While teaching, he also became a part time real estate agent. Mr. Keller also obtained his brokerage license, making him the first part-time real estate broker in the State of Delaware. He worked for over 25 years, with great success, in Kent County Delaware.
Mr. Keller's passion was for racing. Soon after moving to Dover he obtained a part-time job working for what was then known as Dover Downs International Speedway. He had the distinction of attending all of the tracks NASCAR events, dating from Richard Petty's six-lap triumph in the inaugural Mason-Dixon 300 on July 6, 1969, until the last race of the 2019 season.
On race days across more than half a century, Mr. Keller did everything from delivering champagne to the winning driver in victory lane, driving sponsors and fans around the noted "Monster Mile" and serving as a pit road reporter. After retirement from his teaching career, he took a full-time role at the speedway. Eventually, he became the track historian and was highlighted in all the race programs with his own column titled "George Keller Remembers." Mr. Keller's efforts in promoting the "Monster Mile" were honored when he was named Kent County Tourism Person of the Year in 2015. He conducted numerous track tours and served in that position until his retirement. This was his dream job and he loved going to work every day.
Mr. Keller was also a part-time race reporter who covered the local dirt track racing to include: Little Lincoln Speedway, Delmar Speedway, and Georgetown Speedway.
Mr. Keller was a member of the Dover Rotary Club and the Dover Elks Club Lodge Number 1903. He was also a member of the Norwich Township Fire Hall in Crosby Pennsylvania as well as the Sons of the American Legion Post #976.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sandra Gruwell Keller.
Mr. Keller is survived by his wife, Suzie Schaub Stehle Keller of Dover; son, Hudson M. Keller and his wife Tracey of Lewes, DE.; daughter, Leah D. Mills and her husband Thomas of Chesterfield, VA.; sister, Susan Keller of Smethport, PA.; brother-in-law, Robert Gruwell and his wife Randa of Newport Ritchie, FL; brother-in-law, Charles Schaub and wife Debbie of Salisbury, MD.; stepsons, Grant Brumback and his wife Tulay of Cozamel, MEX and Paul Stehle of Denver, CO.; grandsons, Hudson and Derickson Keller, David Hamaker, and Roman and Stone Stehle.
A service and celebration of life will be held beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 2022 at Bally's Dover (formerly Dover Downs Hotel & Casino) in the Diamond room. Viewing and internment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made online in honor of George Keller to Speedway Children's Charities, the official charity of Dover Motor Speedway. Please list George in the "in memory of" field at https://www.speedwaycharities.org/donate/. Checks can be mailed to: Speedway Children Charities, Attn: George Keller Memorial, 5555 Concord Parkway South, Concord, NC 28027.
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com