Deaths - Message from Robert's daughter

Date of birth: August 18, 1933; Date of death: October 28, 2024

Robert Keith, 91, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2024, at his home in Lynchburg, Virginia, surrounded by his wife.

Robert's childhood was marked by his love of learning, adventure and service. From an early age, he enjoyed boxing, tennis, golf, American soccer and track and field. He attended the Pembroke Country Day School in Kansas City, Missouri, and the École des Roches in France. He graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1952. He entered Harvard College with the class of 1956, but two years later, Robert joined the U.S. Naval Air Cadet Program and was appointed ensign. He flew P2V reconnaissance aircraft on squadron assignments in Japan, Alaska and Washington State. After nearly five years in the Navy, Robert returned to Harvard and graduated with a BA in History in 1961.

To prepare for a career in his family's furniture business, Edward Keith Inc, Robert worked at Marshall Field & Co. in Chicago, Illinois. It was there that he met his future wife, Laura Coleman, who also worked at the department store. The couple married and raised three sons. Robert began a career with various reinsurance companies in New York, Chicago and Kansas City, Missouri. In 1976, he and his family moved to Caracas, Venezuela, where they stayed for eight years, working for Seguros Orinoco and then Continental Insurance Co. During this time, Robert and his family travelled extensively throughout Venezuela. In 1984, Robert transferred to the New York office of Continental Insurance Co. and moved with his family to Brooklyn, New York, where they lived until 2019.

After 23 years in the reinsurance industry, mainly in Latin America, Robert retired and became a substitute teacher of Spanish and French in New York City public schools, mainly at Brooklyn Technical High School, where he had the pleasure of teaching for many years.

A passionate linguist, Robert spoke French, Spanish and Russian. Throughout his life, he shared his love of languages, books and history with family and friends. His reading, wonder and travels in Europe, Latin America and Asia gave him a deep understanding and appreciation of many countries and cultures. His years in the Navy and his spirit of adventure instilled in his family a deep love of travel and a commitment to serving others. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Laura of Lynchburg, Virginia, and his three sons - Barker of Greenwich, Connecticut, Sheffield of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Robert of Los Angeles, California - as well as his six grandchildren - Anderson, Kyle, Clara, Connor, Coleman and Duncan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. John Keith. His sister, Lucy (Keith) Tittmann, passed away on April 2, 2025.

Robert will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his intellectual curiosity and his contribution to the lives of those who knew him. His legacy of kindness, dedication and a full life will remain an inspiration to his family.