Robert Mark Keating Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Robert Mark Keating passed from this world Monday May 16, 2022 at the age of 67 years, 7 months, and 9 days. He is preceded in death by his parents Robert W. Keating Jr. and Clara (Fields) Keating, brother Michael L. Keating, and grandparents. Mark is survived by his wife Deborah D. (Caldwell) Keating, daughter Leasa L. Blaine (Dale), daughter Katherine R. Keating, grandchildren Andrew W. Kneemiller (Rachel), Joshua R. Love, Hailey L. Love, Dominic W. Henning, great-granddaughter Charlotte M. Kneemiller, brother Richard G. Keating (Nancy), and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Mark attended Hazelwood Central High School, where he met his high school sweetheart, Deb. They married in St. Louis County on May 5, 1973 and recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. Mark graduated from Hazelwood Central High School in 1973 and enlisted in the United States Navy. He served 6 years as a Machinist’s Mate Nuclear in the Nuclear Propulsion Program. As an MMN, he served as a nuclear reactor mechanic responsible for maintaining the steam-powered propulsion plants aboard aircraft carriers and other Naval vessels. He spent many months at sea, and many months apart from Deb and their newly established family. Despite the many sacrifices, Mark felt a duty to serve his country and was very proud of his service and accomplishments. Mark always credited Deb for her grit and strength holding down the fort for their many moves across the United States, raising baby Leasa alone, and making ends meet on a meager military salary. He was very proud of her, too, and often commented that military spouses were not sufficiently credited for their sacrifices. After being discharged from the Navy, Mark and Deb moved back to Missouri. They lived in Tebbetts, MO while he worked at the Callaway Plant, a nuclear power plant in Fulton, MO. They moved closer to their families in 1985 and lived in St. Charles from 1985 to 1993, then St. Peters from 1993 to present. Mark worked for McDonnell Douglas, which later became Boeing, from March 1990 until his passing. He worked as a Powerhouse Mechanic to maintain the boiler systems. Family was very important to Mark. He loved telling stories about growing up with his brothers, fishing with his uncles, misdeeds with high school buddies, and his adventures with the military. He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments and was known to brag about them to anyone who would listen. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, taking long trips with Deb and his brother Richard, mostly to the Great Smoky Mountains. The Tail of the Dragon was ridden many, many times. There will be a Memorial Visitation at Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services on Thursday, May 26, from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Mark's memory may make memorial donations to the St. James Veterans Home, 620 N. Jefferson, St. James, MO 65559.

Robert Mark Keating

October 7, 1954 - May 16, 2022