Obituary of Robert J. Keegan III

Robert J. Keegan III of Hatboro passed peacefully Tuesday, November 26th, 2024, at home surrounded by his family.

Robert was born January 5th, 1926, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Robert was the son of the late Joseph A. and Frances (Carney) of Bridge Street and brother to his late sisters Helen (Keegie) Leimbach, Margaret(Peg Deihl) and Patty (McInerny) and best friend Jack McInerny (Patty’s Husband).

Robert was a member of St Martin of Tours Catholic  parish and attended North Catholic High School. While attending North Catholic, Bob participated in student government and was quarterback for the Falcons. Bob was a key player in the 19-0 win over Frankford, on Nov 26th, 1943. Bob scored one touchdown and was part of third quarter scoring drive where he broke his arm.

In 1944, Bob graduated from North Catholic High School in Philadelphia PA and immediately enlisted in the Navy to join in the WWII effort. From 1944-1946, Robert was assigned to the USS Goodhue (APA-107), a Bayfield-class attack transport, where he served as a coxswain, piloting  LCVP  amphibious landing crafts as part of the Allied efforts in the Pacific Theatre of WWII. He saw action at both Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Bob was discharged from the Navy at the completion of WWII and attended New York’s Niagara University on the GI Bill. While attending the university, Bob suffered appendicitis and was admitted to the hospital, where he met Esther Pfhol, his nurse. They were later married in 1949 and lived a love story that would last for over 64 years.

Bob was skilled in the trades becoming a tile apprentice for Roman and Company from Wilmington Delaware. Bob excelled in the trade and jump started his own business that lasted for over 20yrs. Bob sold his business and went to work for the Hatboro Horsham School District until his retirement.

During these years, Bob and Esther purchased some property in Sullivan County, PA and embarked on building a family cabin. Bob spent many years building the cabin, with the help of his older sons, family and friends and enjoyed hunting and fishing with the family. Bob and Esther spent their retirement years traveling Europe and summers at the cabin with their family and friends.

Bob was completely devoted to his wife Esther for 64 years until her passing and loved only her until his last breath. He was an incredible father to their five children; and the most wonderful, kind and loving Grandfather and 'BeeBob' to his grandchildren.

He is survived by his children, Robert J. Jr, (Cathy), Mary McFadden (Joseph), Joseph A, Timothy E, and Christopher (Amy); grandchildren Joan Devine (Micheal), Laura Burrell (Jeremy), Megan Schmid (Ryan), Morgan, Carleigh, Dove, Abigail, Elizabeth and Noah; great-grandchildren, Micheal, William, Lilly, and Presley; step-grandchildren, Cody, Carson, Dylan, Colton, and Raegan.

Our Bob was beloved by his many nieces and nephews of the McInerny (Myzal, Lambert), Diehl (Ford, Kaiser, Callahan, Steinmetz), and Leimbach (Stone, Downey)  Families.

The Family is grateful to his loving neighbors on Fairview Ave, including his mail carrier, for their caring and support over the years.

Relatives and friends may greet the family at 8:30 A.M. on Wednesday December 4th at Louis Swift Plunkett Funeral Home 529 N. York Rd., Hatboro followed by a prayer service at 10:30 A.M. Interment will take place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham following the service.