Dr. Robert J. “Bob” Keener, 54, La Crosse, Kansas, passed away Thursday, September 23, 2021, at his home.
Dr. Keener was born December 21, 1966, in La Crosse, Kansas, the son of Samuel George and Evelyn Joyce (Greenler) Keener. He was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas. He was a 1985 graduate of La Crosse High School, La Crosse, Kansas, and a 1998 graduate of Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, where he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree. He was an Assistant Professor of Agriculture at Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas, since 2012.
As a youth, Dr. Keener was a member of the Walnut City 4-H Club, Rush Center, Kansas; and Future Farmers of America (FFA), La Crosse, Kansas.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church, La Crosse, Kansas; Walnut City Masonic Lodge #215, Rush Center, Kansas; ISIS Shriners, Salina, Kansas; Fort Hays Shrine Club, Hays, Kansas; La Crosse Brookdale District #4 Fire Board, American Veterinary Medical Association, (AVMA); Kansas Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA); American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP). He was a volunteer for the Special Olympics; McCracken Rodeo; and the Rush County Fair, where he was the 2021 Crops Superintendent.
Dr. Keener received the 2020 FHSU Pilot Award as the outstanding faculty member. He was also awarded the Spring, 2020 Werth College Award for Outstanding Teaching. Dr. Keener often spoke about how his greatest achievement was the relationships he built with his students. He was an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) member.
Survivors include: his wife, Shelley Oelkers, La Crosse, Kansas; his daughter Dyan Axman (Tony), Olathe, Kansas; his granddaughter, Raelyn Axman; two brothers, Tom Keener (LeAnn), Rush Center, Kansas, and Jeff Keener (Tacy), Rush Center, Kansas; two nephews, Scott Keener and Jacob Keener; two nieces, Stephanie Goings, and Samantha Tholen; four great nephews; and two great nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be Wednesday, September 29, 2021, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the United Methodist Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with the family receiving friends from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Church visitation will be Thursday, September 30, 2021, from 9:30 A.M. to 10:20 A.M. at the United Methodist Church, La Crosse, Kansas.
Funeral service will be Thursday, September 30, 2021, at 10:30 A.M. at the United Methodist Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with Pastor Scott Tempero officiating. Interment will be in Locust Hill Cemetery, Rush Center, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family request memorials to the Fort Hays Shrine Club, Hays, Kansas, or the Fort Hays State University Foundation Department of Agriculture, Hays, Kansas.
Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.