Robert L Keys

Robert L. Keys, 100
On May 26, 2024, Robert Lawrence Keys, passed away peacefully at the LSS Good Shepherd in Ashland, Ohio. When being escorted from the nursing home, his body was wrapped in the American flag and Taps was played in honor of his military service.
Bob was born on April 29, 1924 to Alvin and Gladys Keys in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania and recently celebrated his 100th birthday. He often talked about wanting to live to be 100 years old and having a big party. We are so happy that last month he was able to reach that milestone and celebrate his long life with family and friends.
Bob graduated from East Liverpool High School in 1942 where he was a member of the school's marching band. Following his military service, he attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where he graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and pursued a Master's degree in Psychology. While at Ohio University, Bob was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha (a men's national fraternal music society) and played drums in the marching band. It was in the percussion section of the band that he met his future wife.
Bob married Mary Jane Robinson on September 9, 1950 at the Evergreen Presbyterian Church in
Youngstown, Ohio. Although later divorcing, Bob and Mary Jane continued to raise their three children together and remained good friends until her death in 2018.
On July 9, 1981, Bob married Ethel Them in Reno, Nevada, who was a devoted wife and remained at his side until his recent death.
Not long after high school graduation, Bob was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in WWII as a Sargent in the 361st Regiment of Engineers, Company A, Second Platoon. He served 4 years in the Army in both the European and Pacific theaters of operations and received a Bronze Star for his service during the Battle of the Bulge (Hitler's last major offensive campaign on the Western Front). He had also been a member of the army dance band backing up many well-known entertainers such as Bob Hope.
Bob was very proud of his family's military history, including his father's service in WWI and 6 times great-grandfathers, Colonel John Canon and George Shillito, who both served in the American Revolutionary War. Colonel Canon went onto found the town of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania and helped found Canonsburg Academy, which became the current Washington & Jefferson College.
Following his military service and college graduation from Ohio University, Bob began his work career with Superior Coach in Lima and Cleveland, Ohio. He moved his family to Ashland, Ohio in 1960 where he worked for U-Brand (originally Union Malleable) as its Vice President of Industrial Relations for many years. He loved the Ashland community and lived there for the remainder of his life.
Bob was passionate all of his life about music and sports. He played drums in several area bands, most notably, the Luis Mendez band from Mansfield who, as the prison band, shared the big screen with James Caan, Elliott Gould, Michael Caine and Diane Keaton in the movie Harry and Walter go to New York which was filmed in the Mansfield area. In his 80's, he and other local musicians made a CD called "Memories." He recalls all the musicians were so old they had to have an emergency vehicle standing by during all of their sessions (probably not true, but one of his many stories). In 2009, Bob received the prestigious Presidents Award from the American Federation of Musicians. Receiving this award was one of the proudest moments of his life.
Bob was a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers (yes, many Super Bowl parties were held during the 1970's), the PGA tour, The Ohio State Buckeyes and, oddly, the Cleveland Browns. While you won't find too many people who are fans of both the Steelers and the Browns, it makes sense in this case. Bob was born in Pennsylvania and had strong family ties there, but he was also a huge fan of Paul Brown who he thought had made the single greatest influence on the game of American football. Bob also played fast-pitched softball, refereed high school football, was an avid golfer playing into his 90's, was a huge history buff and loved his martini's. He was a great storyteller, an avid reader and loved the challenge of a good trivia game. He once said he had accumulated the largest amount of worthless information of anyone he knew.
Being a past President of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce, Bob was also a long-time member of the Country Club of Ashland, The Elks Club, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, the American Legion and The American Federation of Musicians.
Bob is survived by his wife, Ethel, and his three children and their families: Randy & Cindy Keys of Hilliard, Ohio, Robin Vanetta Stafford of Peachtree Corners, Georgia and Dennis & Linda Keys of Ashland, Ohio. Grandson Kyle & Kimberly Vanetta and great-grandchildren Kendall and Chase Vanetta of Johns Creek, Georgia. Grandson Jeremy Vogel and great-grandsons Lucas and Brody Vogel of Ashland. He is also survived by his brother and wife Richard & Peggy Keys of Zanesville, Ohio and stepson, Steven Them, of Loudonville, Ohio.
Along with his parents, Bob was preceded in death by an infant son, Gary Keys, and a son-in-law, Dusty Stafford.
The family would also like to thank the staff of LSS Good Shepherd of Ashland for their compassionate care and kindness over the last three years.
A private interment will take place at a later date.
Online condolences may be made on the funeral home's website at denbowfh,com
The Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home and Crematory is handling the arrangements.