Benjamin Keutzer

Benjamin O. Keutzer, 80, died on August 23, 2013, in his Harrodsburg home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Harrodsburg on May 8, 1933, the youngest of Orval and Victoria Keutzer's six children. After graduating from Smithville High School (Class of '51), he enlisted in the US Navy and served as a medic in the Korean War. While still in the Navy, he met and married Wanda Broyles and with her began to raise a family. After his discharge, he attended Indiana Central University (now the University of Indianapolis) through his GI Bill benefits. He intended to pursue a career in hospital administration, but a friend suggested that they both take the FBI entrance exam. What resulted was a long career as an FBI agent, with cases including the JFK assassination and civil rights violations by the KKK. This career meant having to move house often, as far as California and New Jersey, and as close as Indianapolis and Louisville. After retiring from the FBI in 1983, he took a job as Chief of Police of Shively, KY, and then as the Director of Special Investigations for Kentucky under the Attorney General. He also taught criminal justice as the University of Louisville and at Eastern Kentucky University. When he again retired, he moved to the same farm that he had left in 1951. He spent his final years enjoying his life as a farmer and as a member of his church and community. He held active roles in the Indiana Farm Bureau, the South Central Regional Sewer District of Monroe County and Lawrence County, the Harrodsburg Lions Club, Oolitic Masonic Lodge, Stanford Eastern Star and Monroe County Retired Teachers. In 2010, he married Marion Fleener Incollingo. Together, they had three wonderful years, which included realizing a long-term wish to take a cruise to Alaska. He is survived by wife Marion Keutzer of Harrodsburg; daughter Debra Waterbury (husband Rex) of Virginia Beach, VA; by sons Kevin Keutzer (wife Brenda) of Scottsdale, AZ, Brian Keutzer (wife Julie) of Rochester Hills, MI, and Tim Keutzer (wife Joan) of Littleton, MA; stepson John Fleener of Bloomington, IN; stepdaughter Jayne Fleener-Merritt (husband Mike) of Raleigh, NC; and by his eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are private. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Harrodsburg Community Building at a later date.

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Benjamin Keutzer

May 8, 1933 - August 23, 2013