Victoria Theatre Association & Arts Center Foundation Mourn Dr. Robert J. Keggereis

Patricia S. McDonald, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Victoria Theatre Association and the Arts Center Foundation, expressed her condolences to the family of Dr. Robert J. Kegerreis on his passing Thursday at the age of 84.

Dr. Kegerreis was a stalwart supporter of the arts in Dayton, serving in many capacities over the years. He most recently served on the board of Victoria Theatre Association and the Arts Center Foundation from 2004 to 2010. Dr. Kegerreis was President Emeritus of Wright State University and was a past president of the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District. He served for many years as the Executive Director of the Arts Center Foundation, stepping down in June 2006. He was the visionary behind the development of the Metropolitan Arts Center - now a home to The Loft Theatre and office and rehearsal facilities for a majority of Dayton's arts groups. A huge achievement of his tenure was his leadership role in the fundraising and the building of the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, which is owned by the Arts Center Foundation.

Patricia McDonald added: "Dr. Kegerreis was a key individual in the development of the community's arts facilities and a valued Trustee member of the Board of VTA and the ACF. He had a unique way of "cutting to the chase" on issues around the board table that I truly valued."

"Although I am still new to the community, it was immediately apparent to me the wealth of experience and dedication Dr. Kegerreis represented to this community as a whole," commented Ken Neufeld, President and CEO of Victoria Theatre Association and the Arts Center Foundation. "The entire arts community will certainly feel this loss deeply."

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