Robert Quentin Keith

Robert Quentin Keith was born October 8, 1934 in Port Arthur, Texas where he grew up "in the shadow of the refinery" and in the courthouses where his dad practiced law. The child of Quentin and Peachie Keith, his high energy and love of family and community led him to an exemplary life of devotion to his family, community and profession. After his parents, Quentin and Peachie Keith, moved to Beaumont, he graduated from Beaumont High School as a leader, athlete and scholar. An eager student at the University of Texas, his talent and persistent energy led him to participate in all aspects of the university, graduating in 6 years with a doctor of jurisprudence. A member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, Bob was tapped to become a Cowboy and spent as many hours on the intra-mural fields as he did in the library. In 1958 while at the University of Texas, Bob met and married Frana Moseley, his life-long love and partner.

In 1959 he joined his father's firm in Beaumont; Mehaffy, Weber, Keith & Gonsoulin, later becoming its managing partner. He practiced law for 52 years, throughout the courts of Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Washington D.C. where he argued 3 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1982, following his love of the outdoors, Bob moved his practice to Johnson City to become a rancher as well as lawyer. With his great friend, the late Jim Weber, and his daughter, Amy Keith, he started the firm Keith & Weber. Bob represented railroads, oil & gas interests, the petro-chemical industry as well as schools and local taxing districts, even trying two murder cases. Known primarily as a defense attorney, Bob relished representing a personal injury plaintiff but went on to be known as a litigator of major commercial cases. In 2002, Bob was the first recipient of the Texas Bar Foundation's Ronald D. Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer award.

While carving out a remarkable reputation in the courts of Texas, Bob was a leader in every community in which he lived. He was a past Beaumont Chamber of Commerce President, member of bank boards and school boards. Bob and Frana established and funded community learning programs in Johnson City's library and schools, encouraging the love of learning that marked his life. They participated in 17 mission trips to Honduras, the Southeastern Diocese of Mexico and in Zambia, becoming a good and trusted friend to bishops, farmers, tribeswomen and children. Pursuing his love of sports and athletics, he played handball, tennis and was an avid runner, ultimately completing over 35 marathons, ultra-marathons or triathlons. He served as senior warden and a lay reader at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Cypress Mill. After their recent move to Austin from the family ranch, Frana led him to St. David's Episcopal Church where he found a variety of intellectual and spiritual passions that matched his own.

Characteristic of his exuberant approach to life, Bob and Frana had six children, raised first in Beaumont and then in Johnson City. Their children's lives and those of his 11 grandchildren were a daily source of joy, challenge and pride for him. Though his progeny now live in Maui, California, Marfa, Austin and Houston, Bob's family was always his first and last thought of each day.

Beginning in Jefferson County, Bob's life ended in Presidio County after a joyful Thanksgiving Day with friends, his son, daughter-in-law law and grandson, and his beloved Frana. Bob lived fully and well, touched many lives and never knew a regret.

He is survived by his wife, Frana Moseley Keith, six children, Kallie Keith-Agaran, Hillery Keith, Amy Keith, Quentin Keith, Robert Keith and Frana Keith Sadler, and 11 grandchildren, Derry and Quentin Jameson, Thomas and Gloria Belle Gardner; Peachie, Willow and Piera Keith; Enzo, Amelie and Dempsey Sadler and Worthy Keith; his sister, Janis Keith Shoffner of Hilton Head and her four children, Jay, John, Jan and Jill; and close friend, Karen Weber.

While his strong grip and generous heart are no longer with us, Bob's presence will continue to be felt daily by all whom he touched and loved through his example and good works.

A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2011 at St. David's Episcopal Church, 301 East 8th Street in Austin.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Center at St. David's Episcopal Church, 301 East 8th St, Austin, TX 78701 or the Johnson City Library, P.O. Box 332, Johnson City, TX 78636.