Robert Keel Obituary

Keel, US Army (Ret)

Col Robert "Bob" Keel, US Army (Ret)

January 31, 1934

June 27, 2021



Colonel Robert "Bob" Keel passed peacefully at home on June 27, 2021.

Bob served his country and community with respect, diligence, fairness, and good humor. Born and raised in South Dakota, he joined the US Navy at age 17 and served on a destroyer in the Korean War. After graduating from South Dakota State University on the GI bill, he served in the US Army as a hospital administrator in Viet Nam, Korea, Germany, Italy, and at stateside posts including Fitzsimmons and Fort Carson.

Retiring from military service in 1979, he then taught high school science in Colorado Springs and motivated many District 2 students well beyond the classroom.

Bob studied western US history throughout his life and was an avid supporter of indigenous communities there. He loved to travel, approach each day as a new adventure, and "make memories".

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne; daughter, Kathy; son, Blaine; and stepchildren, Anne and Glenn Cummings.

An informal gathering of friends to celebrate Bob's life will occur at Bear Creek Regional Park East, Pavilion #4, corner of West Rio Grande Street and Creek Crossing Street, at 10:00AM, Tuesday, July 6, 2021.

Burial will occur at a later date in Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana: stlabre.org