Robert
H. Keys, 97, died on February 23, 2019, at his home, surrounded by his
family. He was born Robert Harry Keys on
October 22, 1921, to Harry Potter Keys and Marguerite McCormick Keys, in the
town of Empire, Wisconsin.
After
serving in the infantry stateside during World War II, Robert studied at the
Art Institute of Chicago and was later employed by various ad agencies in the
city before ending his working career with Recycled Paper Products. While working as a graphic designer at Whitaker-Guernsey,
Robert met and fell in love with Gladys E. Richards, a fellow illustrator, and they
married on May 17, 1952, in Evanston, Illinois.
They
made their homes in Northbrook, IL, Wilmette, IL and Glencoe, IL before moving,
in 1972, to Hillwinds Farm on Hillwind Road in Plymouth, Wisconsin. There they raised their six children and
developed an artistic sanctuary on their twenty acres. In addition, they
continued their passion for displaying the family’s art works with shops which included
The Keyhole in Wilmette, IL, The 8 Keys Gallery in Glencoe, IL and The 8 Keys
Gallery II at Country Crafts near Plymouth, WI.
Robert’s
artistic/gardening pursuits and his passion for lifelong learning and
exploration amazed all who came in contact with him. His connection to nature, his appreciation of
all things beautiful and his intense desire to create kept him engaged until
the end of his long, fruitful and creative life.
Robert
was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys; his son, Kevin; his parents, Harry
and Marguerite Keys; his sisters, Virginia Shaw and Beatrice Mutz; his brothers-in-law,
Frank Shaw, Joseph Mutz and Scott Richards; his sister-in-law, Bea Marie Forman;
his nephew, Thomas Shaw and his son-in-law, Neal Laumann. Surviving Robert are his children Kathleen
Keys (Tucson, AZ), Michael Keys (Milwaukee, WI), Shawn Keys (Chicago, IL), Lisa
Keys-Dulmes (Plymouth, WI) and Steven Keys (Georgia); his sister, Marguerite
Keys (Kaukauna, WI); his grandchildren, Matthew, Peter and Philip Keys; their mother,
Nancy Baxter Keys; his son-in-law, Richard Dulmes; and his beloved cat, Puddy.
We
extend grateful thanks to Lisa Entringer and Maria Warnke at Aurora Sheboygan
Memorial, the staff at Aurora At Home Hospice (Stacy, Judy, Shelley and Katie),
the staff at Plymouth Family Physicians, Embrace and their loving caretakers
(in particular Nancy, Erin, Greg and Tamera), his and our caring friends and
the Plymouth community, who loved and appreciated our father in a multitude of
ways. He will be missed, to say the
least, and words cannot express our grief.
A
private memorial service will be held in the spring. The family requests memorials in Robert’s
name to: Wisconsin Public Radio (821
University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706), Plymouth Arts Center (520 E. Mill St,
Plymouth, WI 53073) and Embrace Care Management, LLC (627 N. 8
th
St., Sheboygan, WI 53081).
The
Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services is serving the family. For online
condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.
