Robert Keith

Robert Keith, 91, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2024, at his home in Lynchburg, Virginia with his wife by his side. He was born on August 18, 1933, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late Edward and Sally (Ingalls) Keith.

Robert’s early years were shaped by a love of learning, adventure and service. From a young age, he relished boxing, tennis, golf, football and track. He attended 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 after two years Robert entered the U.S. Naval Aviation Cadet Program and was commissioned an Ensign. He piloted a P2V reconnaissance plane while stationed with squadrons in Japan, Alaska and Washington. After nearly five years in the Navy, Robert returned to Harvard and earned his A.B. in History in 1961.

In preparation 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 in the department store. The couple married and raised three sons. Robert began a career with various reinsurance companies in New York, New York, Chicago and Kansas City, Missouri. In 1976, he moved his family to Caracas, Venezuela where they stayed for eight years while he worked for Seguros Orinoco and later Continental Insurance Co. During this time Robert and his family travelled widely throughout Venezuela. In 1984, Robert was transferred to the New York office of Continental Insurance Co., and he moved his family to Brooklyn, New York where they lived until 2019.

After 23 years in the reinsurance business covering principally Latin America, Robert retired and became a substitute Spanish and French language teacher in the New York City public schools, primarily Brooklyn Technical High School, where he enjoyed teaching students 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 his family and friends. Robert’s reading, sense of wonder and travels in Europe, Latin America, and Asia brought him a deep understanding of and appreciation for many countries and cultures. His years in the Navy and adventurous spirit instilled in his family a deep appreciation for travel and a commitment to service.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Laura of Lynchburg, Virginia, and his three sons - Barker (Dana) of Greenwich, Connecticut, Sheffield of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Robert (Tamari) of Los Angeles, California; 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 on April 2, 2025.

Robert will be remembered for his dedication to family, intellectual curiosity, and his contributions to the lives of those who knew him. His legacy of kindness, service, and a well-lived life will remain an inspiration to his family.

A graveside service will be held at Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, New York, at the family’s burial plot on July 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

The family requests that any memorials be made to a charity of your choice. Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit www.tharpfuneralhome.com.