Robert Edward Keating

BURLEY – Robert Edward “Bob” Keating, an 89-year-old resident of Burley, Idaho, passed away in his home on Friday, February 23, 2024.

Bob was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, on December 18, 1934, to Donald Jeremiah and Elin Rolfe Keating. During his childhood, their family moved from Iowa to St. Charles, Illinois, then Momense, Illinois, and landed in Nashville, Tennessee, where Bob spent his teenage years. He graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1952, where he was junior and senior class president.

In 1956, he graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in chemical engineering. That June, he began working as a process engineer and program manager for Thiokol Corporation in Huntsville, Alabama. Two years later in 1958, Bob was transferred to the new plant in Brigham City, Utah, where he met and married Sydna. Bob married Sydna Jensen on March 28, 1959, in the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, Utah. Together they were blessed with two beautiful daughters: Marie in 1960 and Celia in 1962. In Bob’s words, “They are the light of my life.”

During his 38-plus years at Thiokol, Bob was involved with the startup of the Brigham City plant and Air Force Plant 78. He worked on several major Air Force missile systems. Bob was active in Brigham City’s civic organizations, serving in the Jaycees, the Planning and Zoning Committee, and was a city councilman from 1964-1968. He was also active in the Republican party as a city, county, and state delegate. He was a member of the Catholic Church.

After retirement in 1999, Bob and Sydna moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they enjoyed attending classical music concerts, the theatre, and libraries. During this time, they traveled extensively throughout the United States, Central America, Europe, and Asia. In 2014, they moved to Burley, Idaho, to be near Celia and her family. They continued to travel, though more locally.

Bob is survived by his wife, Sydna; daughter, Celia (Danny) Turner; son-in-law, Byron Clark; grandchildren, Lindsey (Kevin) Crouch, Brock (Adrienne) Turner, Cameron (Jessica) Turner, and Allison (Preston) Turner-Kamp; and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, William Keating of Largo, Florida, Donald Keating of Clearwater, Florida, and Richard (Laura) Keating of Largo, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Marie Keating Clark; a granddaughter, Lydia Rachel Clark; and his parents.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, where a viewing for family and friends will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, March 1, and one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Bear River City Cemetery in Bear River City, Utah.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/Rg38D007Jck.