Paul Gerhard "Fritzie" Keller

Paul Gerhard "Fritzie" Keller, age 73, of Laurel, MD, died Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at Laurel Regional Hospital in Laurel, MD.

He was born on May 16, 1940 and was the son of the late Gerhard Keller and Ilse (nee Krug) Keller. and raised in rural Berks County, PA.

Paul graduated from Oley Valley Area High School in 1959. After high school Paul attended Albright College in Reading, PA. Paul continued his studies at Mansfield State in Mansfield, PA graduating in 1963. After graduation Paul taught English and German in the Elmira, NY area while earning his Master's Degree at Elmira College. Paul left New York in 1974 to attend the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale to get his PhD in Cognitive Phycology & Information Systems. Paul earned his PhD in 1977.

Paul married Frieda in 1976 while in Illinois and they soon moved to Silver Spring, MD when Paul accepted a job teaching at the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Maryland at College Park. In 1989 he relocated to Chicago, Illinois to take a position at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the Academic Computing Department. Paul came back to MD in 1991, this time relocating to Laurel, MD when Paul took a position at the graduate school at the University of Maryland University College. Paul continued at his position of Professor until he retired from UMUC in 2009.

Paul went by the nickname Fritzie but was also known by many "aliases" to his friends and family, including but not limited to; "Captain Smelt", "Dixon Ticonderoga" and "Uncle Bungee".

Paul was known for his keen and sharp wit. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, and cooking. Paul loved to travel, especially to Europe and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Paul and his wife enjoyed Opera, especially Rossini Operas. Paul doted on his cats; Sammy Sosa, Casper and Inky.

Paul was the beloved husband of Frieda Olga Weise and the loving brother of Rudolph C. Keller of Berks County, PA and Carolyn R. Reider and her husband Gary also of Berks County, PA. Paul is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews spanning multiple generations to include 2 great great nieces and 2 great great nephews.

If desired memorial donations may be made to Partnership for Animal Welfare, (PAWS), PO Box 1074 Greenbelt, MD 20768.

Arrangements are being handled by Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A., 313 Talbott Avenue, Laurel, MD, where online condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfuneralhome.com