Berkeley Bob was born Robert J. Keefe in Northampton Massachusetts, November of 1941 to John and Evelyn Keefe. Bob was the oldest sibling of three.
The family moved to California where his father, a WWII veteran, got a job as the City Planner of Modesto and Evelyn taught school.
In the hills of California Bob cultivated his love of nature. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Forestry at the University of California Berkeley. His adventurous spirit sent him to Alaska where he fought wildfires.
He enlisted into the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and became a helicopter pilot. He flew many combat missions and once saved his entire crew after the tail rudder was shot off the Huey he was flying. The survivors tried to get him a Congressional Medal of Honor for many years after the incident with no avail but they always kept in touch and thanked Bob for saving their lives.
After the war Bob found peace and music in the Okefenokee Swamp and eventually married Geri (Rutz) Keefe. They recently celebrated 50 years together. Once he retired from his 25 year career as a forester with International Paper he and Geri opened Berkeley Bob’s Coffee House in 2001. In this sixties style coffee he poured his love of fresh coffee, folk music and lively conversation into the Cullman community. Bob’s was a success eventually becoming a well known attraction, getting write ups from magazines such as Southern Living and was listed as the Best Coffee House in Alabama. His listening venue became well respected among artists and musicians came from all over the nation to be heard. He retired again selling the coffee house in 2014.
Bob passed suddenly and peacefully his home surrounded by loved ones on Oct 1st. He will always be remembered as a loving husband and dad and one heck of a banjo frailer.
He is survived by his faithful wife Geri and his many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Sean Keefe, wife Stevie
Kristan and Mark Struck their children Ryan, Tanner and Sadie
Shelly Hicks her children Jeremy, Brad, Lauren and son Caleb.
Kenny Lindsay
Michael Eady, his wife Angela their children Grayson and Sierra, husband EB
Todd Eady, wife Sonia, children Logan and Hayden, Taylor, husband Hunter and their children Houston (Hoot), Hunt and Hatton
Erin Brooks, husband Josh, their kid Fisher and Asher
