Doug Keller was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and is the son of a Japanese concentration camp survivor with a family history in the Dutch East Indies and New Zealand. Since New Zealand had big government socialist policies in the late 1960’s, Doug’s mother and father decided to immigrate to the United States, the country that liberated his dad from internment, and in their minds, the land of opportunity. In order to comply with immigration law, the family had to live for almost three years in austere conditions in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. From there, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, and began new lives as proud Americans. All four Keller sons have had a close association with the military as the family felt they owed their new country a debt of service.

All four brothers attended West Tualatin View Elementary, Cedar Park Middle School, then Sunset High School with Doug graduating in 1983. With an appointment from Senator Mark Hatfield, Doug was honored to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Ocean Physics with the class of 1987.

From there, he headed to flight school in Pensacola, Florida, earning his wings and joining the fleet flying the SH-2F, Sea Sprite helicopter, the TH-57 Sea Ranger as a flight instructor, and then the SH-60B, Sea Hawk helicopter, flying off of various Navy Frigates, Destroyers and Cruisers. Doug also spent tours of duty as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer on USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, an Operations Officer with the National Airborne Operations Center, and his final tour of duty was Safety Officer on USS NIMITZ which included two trips to the Arabian Gulf.

Doug earned his Master’s degree from Troy State University during his tour as a flight instructor and he also spent a year at the United States Army Command and General Staff College focused on military studies including homeland defense and continuity planning.

Doug Keller’s various deployments included tours of duty in South America, off the coast of Sarajevo, the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean supporting operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, the former Yugoslavia as well as good will and relief visits around the world.

Retiring from the Navy in 2007, Doug joined Evergreen Helicopters in McMinnville as the Director of Safety and served there for two years supporting Evergreen’s worldwide operations.

Doug was married in 1992 to the former Wendy Lowery of Pensacola, Florida. Wendy is active in the community supporting the work of Village Baptist Church and the Red Cross. She faithfully works at Westview High School in the special needs department. The Kellers have two children, Sydney and Nathan.