People and Happenings Robert Keller , Director of Cemetery Sales , Retires
People and Happenings Robert Keller , Director of Cemetery Sales , Retires
By Jessica Bussmann
Robert ( Bob ) G . Keller , Mount Auburn ’ s Director of Cemetery Sales retired in November after 41 years of service . He rose through a number of positions and saw the Cemetery undergo many changes .
In his first years at Mount Auburn he was a backhoe operator on the interment crew . He found out about the position from an acquaintance with whom he had worked with at Gethsemane Cemetery in his hometown of West Roxbury , Mass . Starting in 1971 , he dug the foundations for lots and also for the Auburn Court Crypts . After about ten years on the grounds operating heavy machinery , working on the tree crew , setting monuments , and as the Assistant Foreman of the interment crew , he was promoted by then Superintendent Duncan Munro to Engineer , a position that included working on mapping and sales plans , then to Assistant Director for Sales & Operations . Later he would become increasingly involved with sales and eventually manage the Cemetery Sales Department .
Although he has worked on projects varying from overseeing asbestos removal to the development of new and innovative interment spaces to the creation of Mount Auburn ’ s landmark 1993 Master Plan , change this sentence to : he is most proud of his work assisting families in their time of need . He explains , “ I meet people at the very worst time of their lives and I am able to help them , which is one of the most important and rewarding things I do here .” One of his favorite monuments at the Cemetery depicts a passageway that is rough around the outside , like life can be , and smooth on the inside . Bob meets people at that symbolic doorway and helps them pass through it peacefully .
In addition to the many grieving people Bob has helped , he has also worked with numerous pre-need clients in search of the perfect location for themselves and their family . On an afternoon in late summer as Bob and I walked through the Cemetery , we happened upon another person who frequently walks at Mount Auburn on her lunch breaks . She warmly greeted him and told us that she was very happy with the grave space she and her friend had recently purchased . After touring many options with Bob she felt the place they selected had the best Feng Shui , or positive energy , and not too much direct sunlight , which was important to her . Bob has helped people of all cultures , religions , and preferences find a final resting place that suits their individual requirements and their personalities . For another client Bob found space near Mount Auburn Street ,
18 | Sweet Auburn as she had always lived on busy roads and wanted to be interred in a similar environment . “ People tend to select the same type of surroundings in death as in life ,” Bob explains .
He notes that one of the most dramatic changes he has witnessed in his time at Mount Auburn is a change in burial trends from casket burial to cremation burial and from more traditional
Reflecting on Bob ’ s 41-year tenure , Mount Auburn ’ s President Dave Barnett said : “ Mount Auburn is fortunate to have had Bob onits team . In the short 19 years that I have known him , it has always been clear to me that Bob is a dedicated family man . I know it is that quality and attitude that has always enabled Bob to provide caring and sympathetic assistance to families at a time of need . Just as many families have benefitted from Bob ’ s knowledge , sensitivity , and skills , so has Mount Auburn . I wish Bob the very best as he retires to spend more time with his own family .”
Robert ( Bob ) G . Keller , Mount Auburn ’ s Director of Cemetery Sales retired in November after 41 years of service .
single or companion graves accompanied by flush or upright monuments to an increasing interest and acceptance in shared memorials . Under his leadership and through the use of community focus groups , the Cemetery Sales Department found that clients wanted a range of options that included nontraditional shared memorials as long as they are perceived to be in beautiful settings , especially intimate garden spaces . He had a hand in developing such interment landscapes as Birch Gardens , Halcyon Garden , Spruce Knoll , Nyssa Path , Azalea Garden , Aronia Garden , and Begonia Garden . He also has been involved in creating inconspicuous new spaces tucked in historic areas by removing or narrowing roads , thereby maximizing the Cemetery ’ s use of space while minimizing any impact on the landscape . As a former member of the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Cemetery Association , Bob ’ s deep knowledge of cemetery operations benefited cemeteries throughout Massachusetts .
Bob attributes his love of the outdoors and nature to what originally drew him to Mount Auburn , and what has kept him here for over four decades . He enjoys escaping his home in Franklin to hike the White Mountains with his son , Kristopher . He also likes to kayak and to go on leisurely bike rides and out to dinner and to the movies with his wife of 27 years , Donna . Bob is looking forward to spending more time with his friends and all his adult children , Tim , Shannon , TJ , and Kris as well as two grandchildren . But when asked about what comes after retirement , he says with a smile ,“ that chapter has not been written yet …”
Jessica is the Education and Volunteer Coordinator . She has been a lunchtime walking partner to Bob for the past 4 years .