Robert William Keefe

Ten years ago, Bob Keefe came to Johnson City in pursuit of trout and peace among the mountains. Along the way, he rediscovered love, life and a second family of friends. Keefe, 80, died peacefully in his sleep on August 21 due to congestive heart failure. He is survived by wife Peggy, whom he met upon arriving in Tennessee. In the course of a decade, they made a new lifetime of memories together. Other survivors include: children, Kathy Wagner of Georgia, Jewel English of Texas, Paul Piche of North Carolina, Maureen Trogdon of North Carolina, and Bob Keefe, Jr. of California; as well as siblings, Judith Perry of Massachusetts, Ginger Hanson of Rhode Island, Marilyn Keefe of New York, and Richard Keefe of South Carolina. He is also survived by extended family members, Rob Borg of North Carolina, Dave Borg of Malta, Gary Borg of California, Karen Stricklin of Tennessee, and Ron Borg of California. Bob Keefe was born in Townsend, Mass. in 1935. As a child, he was one of the youngest patients to receive a successful heart valve replacement. He went on to serve his country during a 20-year career in the U.S. Army, including two tours of duty in the field artillery in Vietnam and in the U.S. Corps of Engineers, where he helped survey and create the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. Reaching the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Three, he was recognized repeatedly for meritorious service and valor during his years in combat. After retiring from the Army at Fort Bragg, NC in 1976, Keefe started a successful land surveying business in Raleigh, NC, which he ran until his retirement in 2005. Keefe passed away in his sleep at Holston Valley Medical Center, in the shadows of Bays Mountain and the East Tennessee foothills he had come to call home, and forever in the hearts of his family and friends. A graveside service is scheduled for 10 am Friday, August 26, 2016 at Mountain Home National Cemetery. Full military honors will be accorded. Family and friends are requested to meet at Morris-Baker Funeral Home by 9:15 am Friday to go in procession to the cemetery.