We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer Keith McNeill Starr Deller, CD (Ret’d) on 16 September 2012. Born in 1928 in Toronto, Keith went overseas during the Second World War at the age of 15 years, serving in the Canadian Merchant Marine aboard Norwegian vessels on the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and in the Middle East Theatre in 1944-1945.
Keith enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in August 1946 in the Works and Buildings Branch as a Construction Hand, later re-mustering to Pumpman. His tours of duty included RCAF stations at Trenton, ON, Comox, BC, Chatham, NB, and Cold Lake, AB - spending a few summers on loan to 1 Construction and Maintenance Unit for Arctic Resupply. Keith also travelled to work on projects in Quebec City on the Citadel, in Germany and was involved in Peacekeeping with the United Nations in the Golan Heights, Israel.
When Keith retired in October 1983 he was the longest serving Chief Warrant Officer in the Canadian Military Engineers. He was an avid historian of the First World War, The Second World War and the American Civil Wars and was the author of "Per Ardua ad Usquam - The History of CMUs and 1 CEU". He was well-decorated for his contributions to his country and, on Merchant Navy Day, 3 September 2012, he was delighted to receive the Queen's Jubilee Medal.
A celebration of Keith's life will be held on 22 September 2012 at 1100 hours at 17 Wing Community Chapel, 2235 Silver Ave. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Keith's name to a charity of one's choice.
