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G. Robert Keiser

G. Robert Keiser, CDR, USN, Ret., 91, of Mifflin, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, at his home in Nook.

He was born June 6, 1925, in Spruce Hill, Juniata County.

He is survived by one daughter, Kim Keiser, of Mifflin; one son, Robert K. Keiser and wife, Crys, of San Antonio, Texas; four grandchildren, Robert, Sarah, Jonathan and Daniel Keiser, of San Antonio, Texas; and one stepsister, Connie Page, of Livingston, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Betty M. (Foltz) Keiser, on Sept. 13, 2001; his mother, Alma (Swartz) Ritter; his father, George S. Keiser; his stepmother, Sara “Sally” (Bair) Keiser; his stepfather, Clair Ritter; one stepsister, Nancy Lutz; and his companion, Virginia Foltz.

He graduated from Lewistown Area High School in 1943 and attended the Army War College, College of the Holy Cross, University of Southern California and Defense Language Institute.

He was a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he was a pilot of various Navy lighter and heavier than air craft, including the Good- year ZPG-3W, the Lockheed WV-2/EC-121 Super Constellation, the Grumman S2F and the Douglas R4D. His tours took him throughout the United States, Europe and South and Central America. After retiring from the Navy, he was a life insurance underwriter for United Republic Life Insurance Company and vice president of United Data Co.

He was a member of Quiet Birdmen, Naval Airship Association, Tuscarora Amateur Radio Association, Ocean Lodge F&AM, the Granlogdor Guayaquil- Ecuador, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Crescent Shrine, Beale Township Fire Company, VFW Post 5863 and was a Trusty Shellback and one of the Sons of Neptune.

He enjoyed flying, photography, ham radio, telling hangar stories and making people laugh. He was a good man and always tried to help others.

His memorial service will be held at a later time.

He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 337, Mifflin, PA 17058, or to the Naval Airship Association, P.O. Box 700, Edgewater, FL 32132- 0700.

Guss Funeral Home Inc., 20 S. Third St., Mifflintown, has care of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.gussfh.com.