One of the earliest memories Jason King, Water/Wastewater Manager, has of Eddy came during his first project at Keller.
Fresh out of school and still learning the ropes, Jason would complete a design, send it to Eddy, and then return with another round of revisions. After several rounds, Eddy finally looked at him and joked, “You’re going to make me draw this so many times that I’m going to get fired.”
Looking back, Jason laughs at the memory.
“At the time, I just thought he was frustrated,” he said. “But what I eventually realized was how much he cared. He cared about the job, cared about Keller, cared about our success.”
Following Eddy’s recent passing, Keller Associates is mourning the loss of a long-time colleague, teammate, and friend.
For more than 20 years, Eddy was part of countless projects, conversations, and friendships across the company. Ask anyone who worked with him and you’ll hear many of the same themes: he took pride in his work, valued the people around him, and wasn’t afraid to tell you what he thought.
The Standard He Set
Throughout his career, Eddy played an important role in many of the treatment plant and wastewater projects that helped Keller grow.
Whether it was an early milestone project or one of the firm’s more complex facilities, coworkers knew he would do everything he could to get it right.
“He cared a lot about the finished product. Some people treat it more like a job.
Jason King, Water/Wastewater Manager
He cared about the work and wanted to make sure it was right.”
His reputation for protecting his drawings eventually became the stuff of office legend. Long-time employees knew better than to open one of Eddy’s files or make changes without permission.
The stories still make coworkers laugh today. But the reason they endured wasn’t because Eddy was protective of his drawings. It was because everyone knew how much he cared about getting the work right.
Engineers who worked alongside him learned quickly that details mattered, and many carried those lessons throughout their careers.
Years later, members of Keller’s CAD Team still talk about the processes and techniques they learned from Eddy. Many of the habits and approaches he developed continue to show up in how work gets done today.
The Friend People Remember
For those who knew him best, Eddy’s legacy extends far beyond his technical contributions.
“No one was like him,” Matt Carlisle, Civil Designer, said. “Eddy was a great friend, talented coworker, involved dad, and a proud Texan at heart.”
Matt remembered the days he, Eddy, and Doug Cain, Team Lead, W/WW Design in CAD, shared a cubicle area they dubbed the “CAD Cabana,” along with quarterly lunches, holiday raffle tickets, and countless conversations about sports, family, work, and life.
Doug described their relationship simply:
“Eddy and I had a good, old-fashioned friendship that was defined by a handshake and respect.”
He also remembered Eddy’s “Texas attitude, his kindness and thoughtfulness, and his colorful complaining that always turned into laughter and jokes.”
Others remember his authenticity.
“You could have a real conversation with him about real life…
– Crystal Warner, Senior Marketing/Proposal Coordinator
There was no fluff, pretending, or need to put up walls. He brought honesty, vulnerability, and authenticity, and that is something rare and deeply missed.”
Crystal also recalled that while Eddy wasn’t especially fond of large gatherings, he still brought his boys to Keller’s summer picnics so they could enjoy the activities and time together.
That connection to Keller extended to Eddy’s family. The mother of his children, Julie Ann, remembered how proud Eddy was of his work and the relationships he built over the years.
“He always said Keller has been so good to our family, so good to me. It provided us a good life. I’m so thankful for that.”
The projects Eddy helped design will continue serving communities for years to come. But those who knew him best will remember something even more lasting. A friend, a teammate, and a person who cared enough to make the people around him better.