Col. Robert E. Keener, US Army (Ret.)

Col. Robert E. Keener, U.S. Army (ret.) passed away Monday, March 27, 2023. Bob, as he preferred to be called, was born in Clarksburg, WV on March 15, 1930. He was 93 at the time of his death. He was the son of the late Clarence Keener and Marion Keener Webb. Bob was a graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point, class of 1954 and spent a career in the Army as an infantry officer. He saw duty throughout the United States, Korea, and Vietnam.

Bob moved to SC in 1980 after retiring from the Army. He always said when asked where his was from, he was born in WV, but SC was “home of choice”. He was actively involved in the design and construction of his home on Lake Murray and loved to entertain friends and family with picnics, boating and dinners.

Bob was an avid woodworker and fisherman. He was “Mr. Fix-it” for family and friends and always willing to lend a helping hand where it was needed. Bob was a founding member of the Lake Murray Association and its first and 10th President. He was also active in the Southside Community Association and the Columbia Woodworkers Club.

Bob is survived by his wife, Susan Kay Keener of Lexington; his son, Charles R.D. Keener of Vienna, VA; his daughters, Victoria Lynn Keener of Locust Grove, VA, and Deborah K. Peregrina of Manassas, VA; siblings, Jean Lieb of Ormond Beach, FL; James Keener of Cohutta, GA; Jo Clare Edwards, Springfield, VA; Connie LeSeur, New Port Richey, FL and Linda Malcolm, Harper Heights, TX; and sisters-in-law, Patricia Ball, Charlotte, NC and Deborah Ross, Rock Hill, SC. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John Randolph Keener.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 119 N. Church St., Lexington SC 29072 with inurnment to follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church social hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, or a favorite charity of one’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanlexington.com for the Keener family.