Rev. Dr. John ‘Pat’ Keister, Roanoke College’s first chaplain, dies at 94
December 02, 2021
The Rev. Dr. John David “Pat” Keister ‘50, who served in a variety of roles at Roanoke College over the years, died at his Strasburg, Virginia, home on Nov. 24. He was 94.
Keister was born on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1927, which led to his nickname of Pat.
Keister graduated from Roanoke College with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1950, taking a brief break from life as a student to serve in the United States Navy during World War II. According to the obituary written by his family, Keister entered Roanoke College hoping to graduate and become the editor of the Northern Virginia Daily, which his father founded. But during his senior year at Roanoke, Keister found that his calling was to be a Lutheran pastor.
Keister earned both a Master of Divinity in 1953 from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelpha and a Doctor of Ministry in 1979 from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. Prior to his chaplaincy at Roanoke College, Keister served as pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Virginia Beach from 1954-1963.
Keister served as Roanoke College’s first chaplain from 1963-1979. During his time as chaplain, he served in many roles including instructor of religion, director of special events, registrar and dean of the Summer Session of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Graduate School at Roanoke College, superintendent of the Summer Assembly of the Virginia Synod.
Keister even found ways to use his English degree and writing skills as he developed grant proposals for the College.
He married Hilda Dorothea “Dee” Laven '79 in 1953. The two of them have three children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The couple also wrote a lifestyle book together titled “Food, Fuel and Future.” Keister is survived by Dee; their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many beloved cousins and friends.
Pat was a Renaissance man. He was a writer who loved the simple life of farming, small towns living and salt-of-the-earth people.
Rev. Paul Henrickson, former Timothy L. Pickle Jr. and Timothy L. Pickle III Dean of the Chapel
Rev. Paul Henrickson, the College’s former Timothy L. Pickle Jr. and Timothy L. Pickle III Dean of the Chapel, said Keister was wise and well-rounded. He was extremely well-read on a number of topics, Henrickson said. Henrickson recalled a conversation with Keister in 1978 where Keister spoke about the coming climate crisis and quoted French philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin as part of his argument.
“Pat was a Renaissance man,” Henrickson said. “He was a writer who loved the simple life of farming, small towns living and salt-of-the-earth people.”
Roanoke College President Michael C. Maxey said that in his visits and interactions with Keister, it was clear how much Keister cared about the state of the College and the chaplaincy.
“He continued his great interest in the College for the rest of his life,” Maxey said. “He had a grandson who attended here, and he was so proud of that, that the Keister legacy continued.”
Memorials may be made to: St. Paul Lutheran Church, 156 West Washington Street, Strasburg, VA, 22657; Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Winchester, VA, 22601; or Roanoke College, 221 College Lane, Salem, VA, 24153.
A private burial service will be held, and a later Memorial and Celebration of Life service, will be announced.
To sign the family guestbook and submit condolences, please go to www.stoverfuneralhome.com.
Rev. Dr. John David “Pat” Keister
Rev. Dr. Keister ‘50 is a key figure in the College’s history, serving as chaplain, professor, director of special events and more.
Rev. Dr. Keister ‘50 is a key figure in the College’s history, serving as chaplain, professor, director of special events and more.
Rev. Dr. Keister ‘50 is a key figure in the College’s history, serving as chaplain, professor, director of special events and more.
Rev. Dr. Keister ‘50 is a key figure in the College’s history, serving as chaplain, professor, director of special events and more.
Rev. Dr. Keister ‘50 is a key figure in the College’s history, serving as chaplain, professor, director of special events and more.
Rev. Dr. Keister ‘50 is a key figure in the College’s history, serving as chaplain, professor, director of special events and more.
Rev. Dr. Keister ‘50 is a key figure in the College’s history, serving as chaplain, professor, director of special events and more.
Rev. Dr. Keister ‘50 is a key figure in the College’s history, serving as chaplain, professor, director of special events and more.
Rev. Dr. Keister ‘50 is a key figure in the College’s history, serving as chaplain, professor, director of special events and more.