Bob Keller grew up in Corydon in a houshold of readers. His grandmother, Ruth Ella House Funk, was the first trained teacher at the 'colored' school in Corydon in the 1880's. his Mother, Leona Funk Keller, was a founding member of the Corydon Literary Club, which exists to this day. His older sister, Ruth Ed Keller Jordan, was an avid reader for all of her life, rereading her favorite classics well into her eighties.

The back parlor of the Keller home at 621 North Capitol was furnished with glass-fronted bookcases, a Library table, and a reclining Morris chair for comfortable reading. In the large attic were stacks of National Geographics, cherished and consulted, never discarded. Even the family's fishing camp on Blue River at White Cloud had bookcases next to the fishing gear and the popcorn skillet.

Bob graduated from Indiana University with a degree in business in 1933. He returned to Corydon and assumed a role in the family furniture factory, Keller Manufacturing Company. He was, by all accounts, a great friend of the workers. He arose early to dress in rough work clothes and walk out the back door to mingle with the men and women on the line. Then he would go home for a big breakfast and don his business suit for the rest of the workday. He rose to the position of secretary of the corporation.