With sadness we share the news of the passing of the Rev. Robert "Bob" Keaten, 79, on March 11, 2015 in Fort Collins, CO.
Born on March 20, 1935, in Atlanta, GA, Bob graduated from Yale University in 1957 with a B.S. in physics. He spent the next 40 years working as a physicist, including positions at Rockwell International and as the American representative to the OECD Halden Reactor Project in Norway before finishing his career at GPU Nuclear Corp. in Parsippany, from which he retired as VP of Engineering in 1997.
Bob then went on to a second career as an Episcopal priest, earning an M.Div. degree from General Theological Seminary in 2001 and being ordained to the priesthood on the Feast of the Epiphany in 2002 by Bishop Jack Croneberger. After serving as half-time Associate at St. John's, Boonton and Good Shepherd, Ringwood in 2001 and 2002, he went on to serve as Rector of St. Andrew's, Lincoln Park from 2002 to 2007.
In 1961 Bob married Sheila Bruning; they were married for 53 years. They retired to Fort Collins in 2012.
Bob was an avid chess and bridge player, but devoted most of his time to furthering his education, his ministry, and Episcopal charities.
Bob is survived by his wife, Sheila; sons Robert and James; three grandchildren, Kathrine, James, and Matthew; and a brother James.
His funeral was held March 17 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Fort Collins. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Catholic Homeless Charities.
Condolences may be posted online, or sent to Sheila Keaten at 926 Pinnacle Place, Fort Collins, CO 80525.
Good and gracious God, the light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, you sent your servant Bob to be a priest in your Church to feed your sheep with your word and to guide them by his example; give us the grace to keep the faith he taught and to follow in his footsteps. We entrust him into your unfailing mystery of Love and Hope through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
