Richard “Kegg” Lee Keggereis, 91 of Raleigh, NC died peacefully, surrounded by family on January 1, 2012 at Duke Raleigh Hospital. Kegg was born August 8th, 1920 in Suffield, Ohio. He was the fourth child born to Gustinia & Paul Keggereis. He was preceded in death by his parents, older brother Paul Keggereis, and two older sisters Marion Vasil and June Fassnacht.
After graduating from high school, in 1936, Kegg went to work for Davey Tree Company, but he was compelled to serve his country and in 1942 he volunteered for the Parachute Infantry. He was a private first class in the 82nd Airborne, 505thParachute Infantry Division. He served in the Army until 1945 at the end of the Second World War. He was awarded a Purple Heart with a cluster for multiple injuries he received during the Battle of the Bulge. When Kegg was discharged from the Army, he returned to work at Davey Tree Company where he eventually became District Manager. In 1984, after 45 years, Kegg retired from Davey Tree.
On September 29th, 1945 Kegg married Pauline Reavis and they moved to Raleigh. Kegg and Pauline were blessed with their first child, Shaaron in 1946 and their second child Lynda in 1950. Once settled in Raleigh, Kegg and Pauline joined Hayes Barton United Methodist Church where Kegg was a founding member of the Cameron Sunday School class. Kegg was an active Boy Scout leader at HBUMC for more than 15 years.
Kegg is survived by his wife Pauline, one sister Helen Yilling of Smithfield, his daughters Shaaron Cypher and husband Chris of Raleigh, NC, Lynda Watkins and husband Fred of Washington, NC, nephew Mike McIntire and wife Barbara of Raleigh, NC, 4 grandchildren Christian Cypher III and wife Kara of Zebulon, NC, Kristi Phillips and husband Ian of Hampstead, NC, Fred Watkins IV and wife Jennifer of Washington, NC, Ensign Lee Watkins, USN, and wife Noel of Pensacola, FL, 6 great-grand children Mia and Collin Phillips of Hampstead, NC, Christian Cypher IV and Jillian Cypher of Zebulon, NC, Jacob Harris and Oren Watkins of Washington, NC.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00PM Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at Hayes Barton UMC, 2209 Fairview Road, Raleigh, NC 27608. Burial will follow in Raleigh Memorial Park with military honors.
The family will receive from 6:00-8:00PM Tuesday at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road.
Memorial contributions may be made to the church or a charity of the donor’s choice.