Robert Keith

Col. Ret Robert M Keith Jr, resident of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on 30 January 2019 at the age of 87.

Rob is predeceased by his loving wife, Patricia R. Keith, his mother Winifred Keith and his father Robert M. Keith Sr.  He is survived by his sister, Susan Puhalovich (Tony) of The Villages, FL and by his five children:  Karen Amato (Dan) of Leesburg, VA; Marshall Keith (Karen) of Gainesville, VA; Pamela McVicker (Dan) of Winston Salem, NC; Michael Keith (Ginger) of Boca Raton, FL, and Scott Keith (Lisa) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; and by his grandchildren: Christine Powers (Justin), John Amato (Lyndsay), Cameron Keith (Mandy), Dan McVicker (Julie), Scott McVicker, McKenna Keith, Channing Keith, Tatum Keith, Kasey Bubb, Lauren Keith, Katie Keith, and Dylan Bubb; and by his great grandchildren: Cole Rounds-Raabe, Avery Powers, Owen Powers, Gianna Krivanek, Vinnie McVicker, Luca McVicker, and Mia Powers.

Rob was a devoted husband, a loving father, a devout Catholic and dedicated military officer. Rob served in the Air Force for 27 years.  Born on 5 August 1931 in Brooklyn, NY, Rob attended St. Francis College where he met his soon to be wife, Patricia Howkins in 1950.  At 6’4”, Rob played basketball and his 1952/1953 team was inducted into the St. Francis Hall of Fame. The Korean War was heating up and Rob joined the Naval Reserve for training on weekends. When the Air Force cut college education requirements for new pilots in 1952 he applied and was accepted as an Air Force Aviation Cadet.  Rob excelled in flight school, secretly wed Patricia 30 May 1953 prior to his graduation to avoid expulsion, and left for Korea as a B-26 Bomber pilot, returning in 1955 to his wife and the first of five children.  He graduated with a BS, Aerodynamics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1964 and retired from the Air Force after two tours in Viet Nam as a highly decorated Full Colonel in 1977.  Rob flew over 16 different types of aircraft in his Air Force career with most of his flight time in the F4 Phantom and the F-111, the first sweep-wing super-sonic jet. Among his many decorations includes the Bronze Star.  Upon retiring from the Air Force, Rob and his family moved to Titusville, FL where he worked on the Space Shuttle program in his second career for 15 years.  When Pat needed a lung transplant in 2006 they moved to Cypress Village in Jacksonville to be close to the Mayo Clinic.  At Cypress Village Rob and Pat enjoyed the rest of their lives among many friends. 

Rob was a man of strong faith and a role model for his children, instilling in them his devotion to family, fierce independence, tremendous values, strong work ethic, and love of life.  He proudly watched as all five grew to become highly accomplished in their careers. 

A remembrance event was held for Cypress Village residents on 2 Feb 2019 with many of the wonderful friends and Cypress Village staff who have come to know and love Rob.

A mass will be held at 10 am, 2 March 2019 at Saint Teresa Catholic Church, 203 Ojibway Ave, Titusville, Florida.  Immediately following will be a memorial service at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, 2116 Garden St. Titusville, Florida. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rob’s name to Catholic Charities Jacksonville, 134 East Church St., Jacksonville, FL 32202 or online at www.ccbjax.org.

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