Robert (Bob) Leon Keene

Robert (Bob) Leon Keene

Robert (Bob) Leon Keene passed away peacefully, at home in Langley, June 13, 2016, surrounded by his family, after a brief illness. He was 75.

Bob was born to George and Arlene Keene in Damariscotta, Maine, on Nov. 9, 1940. Bob grew up in Maine and later traveled the entire eastern seaboard as his father worked on the construction of Interstate 95 from Florida to Maine.

Bob enlisted and served his country honorably in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1962. It was during this period that he developed his love for Morse code and amateur radios. Upon his discharge from the Air Force, Bob settled in upstate New York and joined his father in road construction in the greater Rochester, N.Y., area. This is where he met and later married the love of his life – Bonnie Jones (Keene).

Together they raised Bonnie’s daughters Lisa Wood (Donald) and Tricia Nielsen (Steven) in the Finger Lakes Region of Naples, N.Y. They spent 36 years together doing what they loved, which consisted of gardening and traveling the local area searching for antiques and unique finds along the way.

Upon his retirement in 2006, he and Bonnie packed up everything and moved to Langley, where they lived close to both daughters ever since. He immediately created a huge garden area and grew many different flowers, fruits and vegetables which he enjoyed sharing with family and friends, and also won many awards for each year at the Island County Fair. Bob worked tirelessly all year long starting plants from seed to ensure he had plants ready for the start of each growing season. Bob also enjoyed constructing radio antennas which allowed him to talk on his amateur radio to other radio operators all across the world.

Bob was a kind-hearted, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing and loving him. Bob had a brilliant mind and shared his knowledge with everyone.

He leaves his wife Bonnie; daughters Lisa Wood and Tricia Nielsen; and grandchildren, Phillip Schenk, Allison Wood, Brittany Wood, Thomas Nielsen and Joseph Nielsen.

A celebration of life will be held for friends and family at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at his daughter’s home. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.