Obituary of Robert James Keegan

Robert (Bob) Keegan, 89, of Hilton Head Island passed away on November 18, 2023.

Born on June 16, 1934, in Albany, NY and raised in Rochester, NY, he was a son of Robert, Sr. and Marion Upjohn Keegan and was the oldest of five sons.

Bob graduated from Aquinas Institute in Rochester and the University of Notre Dame in 1956 with a degree in chemical engineering. Upon graduating he went into the US Army Chemical Corp. Bob married his first wife, Jean Flynn, and had four children. After serving two years of active duty, they moved to Buffalo, NY, where he worked for a chemical company until getting a job with Amoco Oil Company. He and Jean then moved to Newport News, VA where they raised their four children.

Bob later transferred to the Amoco corporate office in Chicago, IL. In 1987, he married his current wife, Lorraine Miernicki. They retired to Hilton Head in 1993 where they built their home and enjoyed life.

Bob was a life-long learner and avid reader of current issues. He was active in social and political change, writing to his congressional representatives regularly. He truly believed in community service volunteering for organization such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), MOAA (Military Officers’ Association of America), Hilton Head for Peace, English for a Second Language, Tea Party Patriots and Habitat for Humanity.

He was a devoted husband, loving father, and lived his life with kindness. He leaves behind a family who loved him dearly. His loving wife Lorraine Keegan; three daughters, Maureen Berkovitz (Mark), Nancy Naatz (Robert) and Laura Littel (Steve); along with three stepsons, Leon Miernicki (Jan), Chris Miernicki and Paul Miernicki (Lorna). Bob is also survived by two brothers, John Keegan, and Terry Keegan (Rosie) along with many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. Bob is predeceased by his parents, son James, and brothers William and Thomas. 

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church on Friday, January 5, 2024, at 10:00 am followed by inurnment with military honors in the church columbarium.