Bowling Green State University Athletics
University Athletic Department Mourns Death of Former Falcon
January 04, 2006 | General
Jan. 4, 2006
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Robert J. Keefe, 87, a professor emeritus of health and physical education at Bowling Green State University passed away Friday in Wood County Hospital. During his 23-year tenure at Bowling Green, Keefe became the first full time coach of the Falcon's men's tennis squad and was inducted into the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.
The cause of death was unknown, but he'd had respiratory problems for several days and recently underwent partial stomach-removal surgery after suffering a bleeding ulcer, said Carolyn Keefe, a daughter. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease shortly after a heart operation in 1992, she said.
Keefe, a Navy veteran of World War II, embarked on what he thought would be a long-term professorial career at the University of Saskatchewan when he learned of an opening at Bowling Green in 1955. Not only would it put the family close to in-laws in Oberlin, Ohio, but more importantly, it included the opportunity to coach tennis and "teach future teachers," his daughter said.
"He never had any misgivings about his choice to be a teacher," Ms. Keefe said, noting that many of his students and team players stayed in touch with him over the years.
Keefe was the first full-time tennis coach at BGSU serving in that capacity from 1955 until 1968. His teams complied an 83-76record, including the 1964 Mid-American Conference championship (BGSU tied Miami(OH) for the league title). That team also posted an undefeated record in 15 dual matches. Between 1962-64 his teams complied a 34-5dual match record.
In 1980, the tennis facility at Bowling Green was named in his honor. While coaching at BGSU, Keefe was also a full-time professor in the health, physical education, and recreation department. Keefe served as the Dean of the College of Education for six years upon his retirement from coaching.
Mr. Keefe also started the curling club, a legacy of his two years in Saskatchewan, at BGSU, and regularly attended many university sporting events.
He earned his undergraduate degree in English from Brooklyn College in 1940 and his master's and doctorate degrees from Columbia in 1941 and 1952, respectively.
Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Frances; daughters, Carolyn Keefe and Barbara Hall; two grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.
There will be no visitation, and burial will be private. The Dunn Funeral Home, Bowling Green, is handling arrangements.
The family suggests tributes to the Central Ohio Parkinson Society, P.O. Box 16126, Columbus.
Some information courtesy of the Toledo Blade.
