Robert Keyes Obituary

Family-Placed Obituary

KEYES, Robert Joseph Age 88 of Kettering, OH. Born December 23, 1915; Died August 14, 2004. Bob was the son of William A. Keyes and Anna Schwind Keyes. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann McMillen Keyes and his oldest son, Robert J. (Bobby) Keyes. Survived by his brother John C. Keyes and five children, Dr. Walter W. Keyes and wife Patty; James M. Keyes and wife Judy; Sheila Keyes Callahan and husband Dennis; Joseph S. Keyes and wife Kathy and Daniel N. Keyes and wife Beth as well as 17 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. The family also wishes to acknowledge and thank their dad's dear friend, Phyllis E. Kramer and his caregiver, Rebecca Neff. Mr. Keyes was retired as president/chairman of The Schwind Realty Company; the owners and operators of The Victory Theater, The Moraine Hotel, The Realty Building aka Metropolitan Clothing Store, The Mercantile Building and various properties in and around the greater Dayton area. He was vice president of Keyes Incorporated Realty, chairman of the board of Keyes Gateway Real Estate Corporation and vice president of Moraine Development Company. Bob was an avid golfer and member of Sugar Valley Country Club. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 19 at Emmanuel Catholic Church, 149 Franklin Street in downtown Dayton. Father Joseph W. Goetz, nephew, will officiate. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, August 18th at Schlientz & Moore, 820 Miamisburg-Centerville Road from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

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Published by Dayton Daily News from Aug. 17 to Aug. 18, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Keyes

12 Entries

Sheila Keyes Callahan

August 21, 2004

On more than one occasion, my mother proclaimed that Dad had the ‘patience of Jobe’……and that he was her “Rock of Gilbraltor” after the death of their first born child. His patience and strength endured as he cared for her during the last 5 years of her life.

As we all know, Bob was his name and golf was his game. By now he should just be finishing the 18th hole of the golf course in the sky! I think he remembered every round he played, as I listened to his golf stories over the years. When he retired from the game, he enjoyed riding in the cart with the boys….then I was fortunate enough to hear about their games!

I asked Dad, after mom died, why he did not move to the desert… his reply was that he could not leave his boys, and that Dayton was his home. It always amazed me the stories he could tell about the people and places of Dayton…who lived where, and who was related to who… As my sons Dean and Grant would say, on their visits to Dayton, it seems like we are related to everyone in Dayton, OH.

Recently, I learned of a quote from one of the Wright Brothers…..” if you want to have a successful life, you need to be born in Dayton, OH and have a happy childhood.” I believe he had both and so did we, his children.

He spoke often of his 17 beautiful grandchildren, who he was so proud of and loved dearly.

These last 6 months have been a struggle for Dad…..as we watched him become frustrated and weak. Fortunately, we were blessed to have Becky Neff come into our lives and care for Dad these past 5 months, 24 hours a day. For someone not quite 5 ft. tall…..it was a huge job to inherit. She did so with kindness, patience, and love. She enabled Dad to stay in his home and go peacefully from his bed. Words can never thank you enough .….God bless you Becky.

And dear Phyllis, these last 10 plus years, you have brought such joy and companionship to him. He loved telling everyone that he had a “girlfriend” who was 10 years younger than him, and she still weighed the same as she did when she graduated from Denison University!

Dad, thank you for being the best Dad you could be…..and for always being there for us. Your memory and spirit will live on in our hearts forever.

His voice messages over the years would always be, “your Dad…10 - 4” Now it is our turn to say, rest in peace Dad…

With all our love…“10 - 4…Sugie and your boys”

Joni Stuart

August 19, 2004

Sheila: Received your e-mail yesterday, and had to take a day to reflect before getting back to you. I was very saddened at the news of your dad's passing. I know how much he meant to you and you must be so thankful that you were able to spend the time you did with him recently. You had a great relationship with him and I know you loved each other very much.

I have often reflected on the death of my father a few years back and I don't think the true reality of him being gone has ever fully sunk in. I still have dreams about him being there with me and doing some of the fun things we used to do and I'll wake up believing he is still alive. Than the realization hits that it was just a dream and I am so sad all over again.

When you get back to town and settled in, let's have lunch or dinner and drink a toast to Bob. Just know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Love, from your good friend, Joni

Annjanett Medina

August 19, 2004

Dear Sheila and Family:

My deepest sympathy to all of you. Sheila, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sheshe we love you...

Hugs and kisses, AJ and Lisa

Jacqueline,Jose, Joe & Matt Diaz

August 19, 2004

To Dear Sheila (and Family) and to all the Keyes - ..."to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted..." Dad, Grandpa Bob, Bob - so many things to so many people. You will be missed - a void will not be filled but your legacy will always live on-

In our prayers & with love, The Diaz Family

Matt and Kristy Zamary

August 18, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to all the family. We treasure our fond memories of Grandpa...laughing together playing board games or card games, surrounded by family. And, we'll always remember his entertaining stories. We regret we're not able to be there with all of you today. All our love, Matt & Kristy

MJ, David and Chasen Chapman

August 18, 2004

Sheila, we are so sorry to hear of your father's passing. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. I know your mom will be so glad to have him with her up there in heaven. He is in a better place.

Kathy Keyes Webster

August 18, 2004

I am sorry I can't be there with my family. Grandpa Keyes had a million stories and could always make us laugh. We're thinking of everyone. Love, his oldest grandchild, Kathy

Luanne Thiel Dehar

August 18, 2004

Dear Sheila, Dennis and Family,

Although I never met your Dad, I felt as though I knew him through conversations with you and through your deep love and respect for him. Know that I share your loss. With sympathy and love, Luanne

Rommy & Julie Parker, Sr.

August 17, 2004

We were very sad to hear the news and we give are blessings to the Keyes Family and know are thoughts are with them. He has left behind a wonderful caring Family?

Vicky Hussong

August 17, 2004

My sympathies to Dr. Keyes, his wife Patty, and the entire Keyes family. I never knew Robert Keyes but he must have been a great man to have raised a son like Dr. Keyes.

Connie Hilton

August 17, 2004

My Sympathies. I had never met your father personally, but new from family and friends what a great person he was. He will be greatly missed

Thomas Fries

August 17, 2004

Our sympathies to Walt, Patty and the entire Keyes family.

Tom And Mary Fries

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