Robert Emmett Keane
November 8, 1942 - December 12, 2024
Robert (“Bob”) Emmett Keane, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and Winchester, Massachusetts, passed peacefully on December 12, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Bob is survived by his wife, Kathleen M. Keane; his son, David Keane and his wife, Milena M. Humplik, and their children (Robert and Petra) of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; and his daughter, Lauren (Keane) Dowley and her husband, Michael F. Dowley, and their children (Maggie, Emily, and Mikey) of Winchester, Massachusetts.
Bob was born in Cambridge Massachusetts on November 8, 1942, the son of Joseph E. Keane and Nora M. (Sullivan) Keane and younger brother to Joseph E. Keane, all who predeceased. Bob attended St. John’s School, North Cambridge Catholic High School, graduated from Northeastern with a B.A. (65’), obtained his JD Boston University (68’) and an LLM in taxation (76’). He worked as the Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Somerville for five years before starting his own law practice. He worked primarily in worker’s compensation, personal injury, business law, real estate, and estate planning.
Bob met Kathleen M. Murphy (best known as Kathy) while they were both summering in Falmouth, Massachusetts and on May 9, 1970, they married at St. Patrick’s Church in Falmouth. They moved to Winchester, Massachusetts in 1976 to raise their children. Kathy and Bob brought fun, love, faith, and enjoyment of travel to their marriage. They created a wonderful life together for the next 54 years. Bob instilled in his children strong ethics and faith, a belief in justice, and a love of the ocean and mountains, that has been carried on to his five grandchildren. Bob and Kathy loved spending time in both Winchester and Mount Pleasant with their children and grandchildren.
William Wordsworth said, "The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love." Bob lived these words throughout his lifetime. He worked tirelessly in his life for his clients, friends, family and church. His faith played a vital role throughout his life and helped give him a steel will during some of his most challenging times. Bob championed underdogs and never gave up on a cause or a case that he believed in, regardless of the odds or unpaid hours of work that might be involved. No matter who needed help, Bob gave his time, financial support, and his savvy mind to solve the problems. Bob was passionate about giving back, lending a hand and never asked and never expected anything in return. After his brother Joe’s tragic diving accident in 1962, which left him a quadriplegic, Bob was a faithful companion to his brother until his death in 2005. They were a regular fixture together at Frank’s Steakhouse in Cambridge. Bob was a longtime active member of St. Eulalia’s Church, the Winchester Country Club, and the Rotary Club. Bob was an active supporter and advocate of many important causes through the years that helped to preserve the essence of the Town of Winchester.
In 2010, Bob fought Stage IV throat cancer through his dedicated team at Dana Farber and was given 14 bonus years with his family and friends. He took full advantage of his time with his family and friends and enjoyed good laughs, long days at the beach, and every meal in between.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Bob on January 17, 2025. A visitation will be held at St. Eulalia’s Church (50 Ridge Steet, Winchester, MA) at 10:15am, followed by an 11am Funeral Mass and burial at Wildwood Cemetery. Immediately following the burial. The family invites all friends and family to a luncheon celebrating Bob’s life held at the Winchester Country Club (12:30pm). If you know you are able to join us, please let the family know.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bob's memory to Dana Farber and the Medical Missionaries of Mary.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation ~ Mt. Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, (843) 884-3833.
Visits: 48
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors