Robert A. Keyes

Robert A. Keyes
of ConklinRobert A. Keyes, 69, of Conklin, passed away unexpectedly Monday, July 24, 2006. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Diana; one son, Carleton, Portland, Oreg.; two grandsons, Christopher and Stephen; one daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn and Cliff Jacoby, Victorville, Calif.; one grandson, Wesley; one granddaughter, Lauren. Also surviving is his mother, Norlee Keyes, Portland, Oreg.; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Richard and Letha Keyes, David Keyes, all of Portland, Oreg.; and several nieces and nephews. He was a retired physicist who worked for 40 years in the defense industry for various Department of Defense subcontractors. He came to Broome County to work for Singer Link until the company was sold and broken up. Bob was a very creative and inventive individual. During the mid-70's slowdown in the defense industry and in response to the Arab Oil Embargo, Bob designed and built a fuel-efficient, 3-wheeled vehicle called the TriVette of which 28 were built. Upon retiring from Link, he went back to his love of vehicles and designed and built a larger, more exotic 3-wheeler with a small block Chevy engine and called it the "Vigillante." Details and the history of 3-wheel endeavors and expertise are available at www.vigillante.com. Few people in the world were as knowledgeable about the design and performance of 3-wheeled vehicles.
Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Condolences may be expressed online at www.savagefs.com. Arrangements were by Savage Funeral Service, 338-344 Conklin Ave., Binghamton, N.Y. 13903