Robert "Bob" James Keen, Jr.

Robert “Bob” James Keen, Jr. peacefully passed to unite with his savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

Bob was born in Albany, Georgia. He was the proud son of Lt. Col. Robert James Keen, Sr., a highly decorated Ace fighter pilot and Catherine Forshee Keen. He traveled with his family extensively until his family settled in Sumter, SC, where he attended Hillcrest High School.

After graduating high school, he attended Brevard College and then went on to receive his degree in Pharmacy at the University of South Carolina.

He worked as a registered Pharmacist in Columbia, for fifteen years. During that time, he met and married his lifelong love and beautiful wife, Janet Rauch Keen.

After college Bob played basketball with the City League where his claim to fame was his ability to dunk backwards with both hands behind his back. He was also an avid hunter, but his real passion was Gamecocks sports and cooking.

Bob was an entrepreneur at heart. He built a recruiting firm which he ran successfully for 25 years. Looking for a new challenge, he successfully started four chiropractic clinics in the Columbia area thirteen years ago which remain successful today. He was honored to be a member of Shandon Baptist Church and the EAGC.

Bob’s innate ability to make friends was uncanny, but his real gift was maintaining those treasured friendships throughout his entire life. His loyalty inspired the same from all he loved. That really was his gift.

Bob absolutely adored his family and was always quick to amuse and entertain, no matter what the occasion. He taught his great nephew and niece to call him Uncle Bob the Main Man and they always did.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his youngest sister, Linda Keen Glenn and her son, Joseph Christopher Glenn. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet, and their two beloved children, Robert James Keen, III and Linda Ann Keen. Also surviving are his sister, Patricia Ann Keen; two nephews Don Grant, III and his wife Bethany, and Robert Grant and his wife, Rachel. He also leaves behind a great nephew, Robert Grant, Jr. and two great nieces, Ryann Elise Grant and Jolie Younger Love as well as his sister in-law, Laura Rauch Hibbits.

The funeral service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held at 3 o’clock, Sunday, July 12th, at Shandon Baptist Church, 5250 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, 501 Elmwood Ave, Columbia, SC.

The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 2 o’clock in The Gathering Place at Shandon Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Senior Resources/Meals on Wheels, 2817 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29205 or by visiting https://seniorresourcesinc.charityproud.org/Donate

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.