Robert Alfred Keith

Robert (Bob) Keith, formerly of Princeton, NJ and Potomac, MD, passed away in his 95th year on June 8, 2021, in San Diego, CA. He was the eldest of 3 sons born to Charles and Beatrice (Jolly) Keith and was raised in Waltham, Mass, with a love for ice hockey and flying. Bob was the beloved husband of Elizabeth (Bette) Keith for 61 years, and wonderful father to twin daughters, Gail & Susan, and son, Robert (Bobby) as well as a delightful Papa to 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

After graduating high school, he joined the Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet before heading off to the University of New Hampshire after the war. At UNH he was Captain of the ice hockey team, a 2-year lacrosse letterman, President of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, and graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering. He later attended Yale’s grad school program for Highway and Traffic Engineering.

His family had a general store and summer home in York Beach, Maine, where he met the cute and vivacious Elizabeth (Bette) Willocks. They were engaged on the rocks overlooking Nubble Lighthouse and married in 1950.

Bob’s career as a transportation and regional planner resulted in moving the family every few years -they lived in New York City, Massachusetts, Maryland, England, Houston, and Princeton. He was involved with many large-scale projects in New York, Boston, California, Texas, Georgia, Puerto Rico, the British Isles, Iran, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey.

Bob and Bette’s retirement years in San Diego were enhanced by living close to son Bobby’s family, and with the many friends they made while living at the Vi. A few years after arriving in San Diego, Bette discovered the Good Samaritan Church and its Healing Service. She and Bob joined the church and found a wonderful, caring and supporting community at Good Sam. Bette passed away 10 years ago, and Bob noted at her Celebration of Life that being members of Good Sam had changed their lives forever.

Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of his Life on Saturday, September 25th at 10am at Good

Samaritan Episcopal Church, 4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, Ca 92121. In lieu of flowers, a donation in

his name can be made to Good Samaritan Episcopal Church.