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2014 SPECIAL SESSION I

14200106D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5028
Offered April 22, 2014
Celebrating the life of Robert L. A. Keeley, M.D.
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Patrons-- Edwards; Delegates: Habeeb and Rasoul
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WHEREAS, Robert L. A. Keeley, M.D., a proud veteran, respected surgeon, and community leader in Roanoke, died on March 16, 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of Roanoke, Robert Keeley attended what is now known as Roanoke Catholic School; after graduating from high school at the age of 16, he attended Roanoke College and earned bachelor’s and medical degrees from the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Keeley interned at the United States Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, then served his country as a captain in the United States Navy during World War II; after the war, he began his medical residency in general and thoracic surgery at Duke University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Keeley was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, serving in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital unit; in 1955, he returned to Duke University to complete his residency; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Keeley returned to Roanoke and started a private surgical practice; he later helped found the Jefferson Surgical Clinic, where he remained an active partner until 2012, and worked as a disability determination physician for the Social Security Administration; and

WHEREAS, a recognized leader in the surgical field, Dr. Keeley served as the chief of surgery and chief of staff at Carilion Roanoke Memorial and Community Hospitals, a clinical professor at the University of Virginia, and the president of the Virginia Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Foundation; he also helped found Bradley Free Clinic and Project Access of Roanoke Valley; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Keeley worked to enhance the Roanoke community as a member and leader of many civic and service organizations, and he enjoyed fellowship and worship as an active member of Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his career, Dr. Keeley received countless awards and accolades for his contributions to the surgical field and tireless service to and care for the members of the community; and

WHEREAS, deeply dedicated to his family, Dr. Keeley will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his loving wife of 65 years, Nina; children, Betsy, Bob, Mary, Anne, Tom, Pam, John, Kathy, Paula, Daniel, David, Mark, Chris, Richard, and Nina, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Robert L. A. Keeley, M.D., a veteran, surgeon, and pillar of the Roanoke community; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Robert L. A. Keeley, M.D., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.