Aragon High School Alumni
San Mateo, California (CA)
Jerry Keuter Obituary
Jerry Keuter was faculty at Aragon High School in San Mateo, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Jerry Keuter.
| School Role | Faculty |
| Date of Passing | (unknown) |
| About | The link below will take you to Mr. Keuter's entire obituary. He was a most-beloved social studies teacher. His enthusiasm inspired many of his students to pursue teaching careers. https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/obituaries/jerry-keuter-soquel-ca/ Mr. Keuter was born in 1935 and passed away in 2025 and is survived by his wife. His obituary was posted in late March of 2025 in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Thank you, Mr. Keuter, for your dedication to our education. |
Grant Bakewell '69 said:
This kindly and compassionate man opened up to me the whole world of English literature, from TS Eliot to Dylan Thomas, including assisting me in creating a movie interpretation of “Poem in October” with several classmates. Thank you, dear professor and friend! May you rest in peace, to rise in glory!!
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CommentGeorge Cary '69 said:
Jerry Keuter changed my life. Before jerry keuter i was at best a mediocre student; some years a failing student. Mr. Keuter changed all of that by treating me with respect; by crediting my thoughts and engaging with me as an intellectual equal; and by recognizing my intelligence and nurturing it. I had Mr. Keuter for junior year English. While he was an English teacher, he and I engaged on my passion: political philosophy and politics. We did not see eye to eye. Nonetheless, he engaged me and challenged me, while remaining non-judgmental and always a “teacher”. (He may well have been unique at Aragon in this respect.). While his class was English, he allowed me to write my paper on a political book rather than on a classic of literature. It was J. William Fulbright’s “the arrogance of power” about foreign policy and Vietnam. It was a thick book, and i wrote a thick paper. Probably more work than i would have on a regular assignment. Jerry realized that one learns more when one is engaged and interested. I learned to be engaged and interested at an academic level. After Aragon, i went on to CSM, where Jerry taught night classes. I took them and continued to learn and enjoy his friendship. After class we would retire to “The Med” for Pizza and beers and, most of all, conversations, heavy and light. He invited me to a poetry reading at his house in San Francisco. I was enthralled. This to me epitomized the life of the mind. Discussing poetry in a cozy Victorian in the City. The others there included other Aragon faculty. I felt privileged that Jerry thought of me as a peer by inviting me. Unfortunately, i lost touch with jerry. I tried to track him down just a couple of years ago to express my deep appreciation for all that he did for me. But could not find him. A google search revealed a phone number in Santa Cruz. Last i had heard he was in Oregon. But i tried it, left a voice mail. But never heard back. Turns out that was probably his number. So this will have to suffice. I have lived a great life, i have achieved a degree of professional success. Jerry made that possible, i am convinced. And above all, i can’t thank him enough for his friendship.
(Bart, hope you are well! Great to see your name.)
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CommentF. Barton “Bart” Ward III '69 said:
Mr. Keuter was my favorite High School teacher. I enjoyed his dry sense of humor. May he rest in peace.
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