In Memoriam: Bob Keller

Bob Keller, Rowan Retiree and rig namesake, passed away on 24 July at the age of 91.

He began working for Rowan Drilling immediately following his graduation from Texas A&M in 1947. He started as a roughneck on a steam rig in Alvin, Texas, and proceeded to work in almost all of Rowan’s operating regions at the time, including the Southern, Western and Rocky Mountain Divisions, the Gulf of Mexico and Southeast Asia. After 43 years of service, Mr Keller retired as Vice President of Operations for Rowan Companies Inc. on January 1, 1991. In 2005, a TARZAN Class jack-up rig was named in his honor.

Mr Keller said his proudest achievement at Rowan was training the “young people” of Rowan for the future of the company. He was a leader, a mentor and a friend to many.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Jean, and son, Bobby. He is survived by: Cheryl and Mark Keller, EVP of Business Development for Rowan; Faye Harris and Matt Keller, Director of Sales and Marketing for Rowan; 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.