Thomas Edward Keavney

1962 - 2025

Thomas Edward Keavney
Thomas (Tom) Edward Keavney of Palm Bay, FL, formerly of Norwalk, CT, and Los Angeles, CA, died September 26, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.
He was born March 28, 1962, in Norwalk, CT, to Connie (Costich) Keavney and the late Jim Keavney. He earned his bachelor's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his master's degree from California State University. An aeronautical engineer, Tom worked on many innovative aircraft and satellites.
Tom's first engineering job was working on the design of the B2 Spirit Stealth Bomber. He was part of the team that made the FA/18 Fighter stealth. Tom also worked on the B21 Stealth Bomber, the YF-23 Advanced Technology Fighter, and the A-12 Advanced Tactical Aircraft upgrade. He led and supported cost reduction, development, and sustainability teams and worked at several companies, including Northrop Grumman, Hughes, McDonnell Douglas, and Boeing.
Tom had patents including "Electromagnetic Wave Refraction via Controlled Plasma" and "Deployable Wing for an Aircraft a", and "Deployable Wing for an Aircraft b."
He earned Innovation Awards for other inventions including "A Method to Measure the Radar Cross-Section Per Unit Area of Surface Roughness Scattering," "Three-Dimensional Wolven Cellular Structure," "Radar Cross-Section Target Interaction Subtraction by Plasma Adjustment," and "Charging Unmanned (UAV) From Power Lines." Tom's team earned a Distinguished Engineering Project Achievement Award from the Engineers' Council.
Tom acted as a mentor to the next generation of engineers and was a course designer and instructor at Low Observables University at Northrop Grumman and earned a Six Sigma Green Belt. He earned certification in Aerospace Project Management from California Institute of Technology Center for Technology and Management. Tom held an expert skydiving license, rescue SCUBA certification, and a DB Cooper number.
Tom met his wife Elizabeth while skydiving. Together they appreciated adventure and exploring other cultures, visiting all seven continents, including more than 30 countries. They also enjoyed skydiving and SCUBA diving.
Survivors include his wife Elizabeth; mother Connie; and siblings Eileen (and Steve) Lonce, Chris (and Janice Fuquay), Martha, Dava, and Mark as well as cousins, nieces, and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his father Jim and sister-in-law Mia Ringbom.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 10, at 11 a.m. at St. Philip Church, Norwalk, Connecticut.
Memorial donations may be made to
Joy Lutheran Church, 3174 Jupiter Boulevard, SE Palm Bay, Florida 32909
or
Lakewood Village Community Church, 4919 E. Centralia St., Long Beach, CA 90808