Dr. Robert J. Keating

He was born on October 24, 1944 in Forest Hills, New York. He served in the US army from 1962 to 1965 and was stationed in Korea. Following his discharge from the army he moved to Houston where he attended the University of St. Thomas for his undergraduate degree and then the University of Houston where he received a Master’s degree and a PhD. He worked at MD Anderson Cancer Center before joining the faculty at Houston Community College. He worked at HCC for 24 years and was recognized for instructional excellence several times and named teacher of the year 1996. He served as Chairperson of Sciences and later the Biology department at the Spring Branch campus before retiring in 2013.

A lifelong Mets fan, when he moved to Houston he quickly grew to love the Astros. One of his prized possessions was a foul ball he had caught at an Astros – Braves game in the 1980s. He also coached countless Little League baseball and softball teams while his wife Bette Kept score, worked the concession stand or both.

He was preceded in death by his mother Anne Keating, his father Robert Bernard Keating and his sister Micheline Belvedere Keating. He is survived by his wife Bette Keating, his children Laura Keating Cloutier and husband Steve, Mikey Keating Smith and husband Sam and John Keating and wife Amy. He also leaves behind nine beloved grandchildren: Elizabeth, Christen and Sarah Cloutier; Elise, Lily, Elijah and Lainey Keating; and Lucy and Iris Smith.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.