Philip Leroy Kehler

PHILIP LEROY KEHLER passed away March 15, 2017 at home in Roland, Ark. Born in 1936 in Lyons, N.Y. to Rev. Wesley and Kathryn (Chilson) Kehler, he attended Northside High School in Corning, N.Y. He graduated Purdue University with a Bachelor's and Master's in Geology in 1959 and 1961. Phil served the Air Force from 1961 to 1965 and worked at the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, where he met his wife, Marietta. She usually did not date non-officers, but she succumbed to his charm, intelligence and sense of humor. Phil and Marietta married in 1965 and moved to Dallas, where Phil attended Southern Methodist University and received a Ph.D. in Geology in 1970. He taught Geology at East Texas State College from 1969 until moving to Little Rock to help start the Earth Science Program at UALR in 1973. Phil initiated a Geology degree for UALR in 1990 and retired in 2000. Phil was a registered professional geologist and served on several academic committees and the Governor's Earthquake Advisory Committee. He was a member of the Geological Society of America, Sedimentary Geology Society, National Association of Geoscience Teachers Arkansas Academy of Science, and Arkansas Science Teachers Association. He had also consulted for Shell Mining on the lignite project for Middle South Services Center in Camden. Phil relished his rocks! He also enjoyed teaching during geology field trips across the United States, participating in the Mid-South Services Academy, and traveling with his best friend, Marietta, to Alaska and Hawaii to see the wildlife and volcanoes. Phil is survived by his wife, Marietta Kehler, son, Robert (Ginger) Kehler, and daughter, Laura Kehler Shue; grandson, Chase Kehler, granddaughter, Kelsie (Tim) Trotter, and grandsons, Jack and Will Shue. He was predeceased by his sister, Lucille Burke, brother, Charles Kehler, and sister, Helene Grant. Special appreciation to his caregivers, Felicia, Sue Barnes, and her sister, Janet, and to his neighbors, Margaret, Lori, and Clint Evans. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 19 from 2-4 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Philip L. and Marietta T. Kehler Endowed Scholarship at UALR, UA Little Rock Office of Development, 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock, Ark. 72204. Arrangements are by Little Rock Funeral Home, 501-224-2200. Phil's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.