A handyman with the integrity of a Marine

Tony Keller of Robbinsdale was a handyman who took pride in his work, whether he was repairing for the family, helping a neighbor or on a paying job.

Keller, who began learning the tricks of home plumbing, remodeling and electricity as a kid and helped remodel the family cabin, died on July 21 at his home in Robbinsdale.

Keller, 70, suffered a heart attack a couple of weeks ago.

His brother Dean of Andover said the entire family pitched in at the cabin near Emily, Minn., and they helped remodel others for family members.

There would be no fishing until the work was done, and that discipline, plus four years in the Marines, helped make Keller an accomplished handyman, said his brother.

After the Marines, he eventually went to work at his stepfather's hardware store, Keno Hardware in Robbinsdale, especially learning the intricacies of plumbing repair. For several years, he co-owned and ran the store, selling it about 20 years ago.

"The Marines helped make him organized, I believe," said his brother, adding that he always had plenty of work, never needing to advertise.

For a few bucks he would install window air conditioners "for little, old ladies," said his wife, Janis, of Robbinsdale. "He charged on a sliding scale He was kind of like Robin Hood."

John Locke, chief investigator of the Hennepin County Public Defenders' Office, a customer, wonders what he will do now, when something breaks at his house.

"He was so good at fixing stuff," said Locke. "When he would finish it up, it was cleaner than when he started."

Keller stopped in daily to see his friends and customers at the Fairchild Service station in Robbinsdale.

"It was kind of funny," said Neil Fairchild, co-owner of the service station. "One of the things he demanded, he always wanted rolls and coffee" after a job.

In addition to his wife of 40 years and his brother, he is survived by his sons, Matthew of Robbinsdale and John of Minneapolis.