Robert Raymond Keyes, Jr. (Bob) passed away at the age of ninety-eight in Birmingham, Alabama on October 14, 2024. He was born on July 25, 1926, in Hannibal, Missouri, where he enjoyed a storybook childhood with his extended family and attended Hannibal High School. With his mother’s required consent, he enrolled in the Army at the age of seventeen and served during World War II, where he was enrolled in universities and served in the Army Corps of Engineers. He was stationed at the White Sands Missile Range where he worked on engineering launch platforms for the V2 rocket project. While serving in the Army Reserves, he took his first job with Portland Cement Association in Decatur, Illinois. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering with honors from Washington University in 1948, where he was recognized with membership to Tau Beta Pi, the oldest engineering honor society in the United States. He married Lucille Marie Duello (Susie) in 1950, and they shared a loving home in St. Louis, Missouri. He worked for R K & A Jones in St. Louis, Missouri, building hotels. He later retired from the Hospital Building and Equipment Corporation where he was the Executive Vice-President of its Hospital and Bank Building Division. He enjoyed his early retirement years in Atlanta, Georgia and more recent years in Birmingham, Alabama.
Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert Raymond Keyes, Sr., his mother, Leona Margaret Keyes, his wife, Lucille Marie Keyes and his brother, William Oliver Keyes. He is survived by his four children: Mrs. Carol Keyes Stadtmiller (Gary) of St. Louis, Missouri; Dr. William G. Keyes (Dana) of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; Mr. Gregory R. Keyes, Sr. (Becky) of Birmingham, Alabama; and Mr. Robert A. Keyes (Ying) of Houston, Texas. Bob was adored by his five grandchildren: Ms. Carrie Stadtmiller Horning, Mrs. Deborah Stadtmiller Smith (Patrick), Mrs. Katherine Keyes Greenky (David), Major William R. Keyes (Margaret) and Mr. Gregory R. Keyes, Jr.; and six great-grandchildren.
Bob was admired for his sense of humor, love of jazz music, cigars, bourbon, hunting, fishing and foraging for morel mushrooms. He was a self-taught sketch artist. He was known (and teased) for his punctuality and was never without his small pocket notebook and mechanical pencil to record his ideas. When asked a few years ago if he could be anything in life, what would he want to be? He replied, “a romantic singer!” He had a strong work ethic and kept up with the latest technology, including emojis on his iPhone and driving his Tesla.
The family is sincerely grateful for the loving care provided to him by Margaret Kelsoe, Crystal Portis, Schronda McCord, Shontae Watson, Tressa Turner, and Cheryl Daniel.
Bob will be interred in Gulf Cemetery in his family’s plot beside his wife and brother. The immediate family will hold a private ceremony on a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to either the USO (USO.org) or Historic Gulf Cemetery (P.O. Box 1746, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459).
Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205.879.3401) in Homewood, Alabama.
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