Robert Keefer
September 20, 2009
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Service Details
Robert Myron Keefer, 92, of Des Moines passed away on September 20, 2009 at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. The family will greet friends from 2-4 p.m. Friday, September 25, at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home, where there will be a 3 p.m. Celebration of Life Service.
He was born on September 24, 1916, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Myron and Sylvia Keefer. He graduated from Lincoln High School and in 1940 married Mary Marguerite Bender. He was an Army veteran of WWII serving as a Sgt. Major in the 590th ordinance Battalion and was awarded the Bronze Star. He and his brother Bill where co-owners of Grubb Furniture and Appliance and he was a long time member of the St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He was also a member of the Des Moines Softball Hall of Fame, the Iowa Softball Hall of Fame, the B'nai Birth Hall of Fame and the Lincoln High School Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his son Robert of Des Moines; his daughter Karen Keefer Turner of Dallas, Texas; his grandson Blake (Sharon) Turner of Dallas; his great grandchildren Jake and Landry; his sister-in-law, Arlene Bender and his nieces, Sheila, Sheryle, and Sindy. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marguerite and his brother Bill.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Cal Coolidge
10/05/2009
It is unlikely that anyone could have as full a life as Bob Keefer. He was a prime example of the best of the greatest generation. A true gentleman and great sportsman.
I enjoyed knowing him on his visits to family in Dallas and to play some enjoyable rounds of golf with him.
We are all better off having known him and having a chance to share great moments with him.
My thoughts are with all his family and friends. Very sorry to hear the news but very happy that I knew Bob and men like him.
Cal Coolidge
Lake Frederick VA
Shelly Burmeister Mowery
09/29/2009
My parents Earl & Helen Burmeister were best of friends with Bob & Marg.
The Keefer's are part of my life and truly family. Bob & Marg were very special individuals, I am honored to have known them. Bob, was the most kind and caring person I have ever known. He certainly never acted his age and I enjoyed hearing him talk about my folks and all the good times they had. I sure will miss Bob!
Darwin & Marilyn Nordquist
09/24/2009
Bob and Margueite were very special people.When you met them you loved them. Our prayers and condolences go out to the Keefer family
David Wagler
09/23/2009
I had the privilidge to be a next door neighbor to Bob for 8 years. I knew the first time that I met him, that he was a special person. I was able to spend a lot of time visiting and hearing his stories. Bob was such a humble man, and it wasn't util I knew him for a while that I learned of the athletic ability he had. Marguerite told me that Bob was in the Iowa Softball Hall of Fame, so I asked Bob about it. He was reluctant to go into details right then, but over the years I got to enjoy lots of stories about games and state championships. I enjoyed every story, and was amazed of the talent that Bob had. I remember going through a scrapbook with newspaper articles in it, and each article brought a smile to my face. Although our family moved away about 7 years ago, I thought of Bob often and stopped in to see him when I was on the South side. Our family will miss Bob, what a great man.