Veteran Celebrates 102nd Birthday

Rogenald Keller Showed Family and Friends Why He's Going Strong at 102

SILVER BAY, Minn. – One hundred years is a milestone most of us will never reach. Rogenald Keller celebrated his centennial two years ago and today showed why he’s still going strong at 102.

There was quite the celebration at the Silver Bay veteran’s home Friday, and the party wasn’t just for St. Patrick’s Day.

“Dad’s 102nd birthday and the possible marriage of a third wife at 102 from Ireland if someone comes forward,” says Keller’s daughter, Sandra Fowler.

R. J. Keller’s birthday has become an annual event for the World War Two veteran known for his famous sayings.

“The world is a big place and I like the whole works,” says Keller.

Keller’s daughters describe some of the sayings their dad is known for like “A rolling stone will gather no moss” and “A blind pig will catch an acorn sometimes.”

Keller is an inventor with 21 U.S. patents, but says he doesn’t have a special secret for living into his hundreds, besides maybe genetics.

“My mother was in her 99th year when she died,” says Keller.

And a doctor who promises to give him another year.

“He said it’s my job to get you to 103, and dad pulled out his hand and he says, ‘I will count on that from you,” says Sharon McCauley, another one of Keller’s daughters.

His family is confident Keller will have them laughing at another birthday. I asked if they think a news crew will be back next year and they responded, “Absolutely! You don’t doubt it, do you?”

After meeting him today, I definitely don’t doubt it. Keller still does 1,000 steps on a stair stepper every day after breakfast.