ROBERT HILL KEAN
(Editor's note: The Monticello Association and Bob's family are grateful to his nephew, Robert Chason for the preparation of this article.)The Association lost one of its most devoted and ardent supporters with the death of Bob Kean on January 16, 1985 at the age of 84. A person of widely varied interests he was particularly distinguished as scientist, Scholar, and teacher. For those who knew him well he will perhaps best be remembered as a mentor in the art of living who taught by example.Robert Hill Kean was born in Morristown, New Jersey on July 5. 1900, the son of General Jefferson Randolph Kean and Louise Hurlburt Young. His early years were spent at a variety of army posts in the U.S. and in Cuba where his father served on the staff of General Fitzhugh Lee and was closely associated with Walter Reed in the victory over yellow fever. Educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S. in Chemical Engineering and M.S. in Chemical Engineering Practice) and the University of Virginia (Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry) Bob gained high distinction in the field of chemistry both as a researcher and an administrator. His industrial experience included a broad variety of activities with particular emphasis on research, development, and technical services at the highest corporate levels. A holder of numerous patents Bob did much original work in the design of chemical plants and processes and pioneering research in physical chemistry which gained wide recognition both in the U. S. and abroad. In noting his many professional contributions the Bulletin of the Virginia Section of The American Chemical Society cited "his transcending scientific accomplishments ...is his leadership and patient instruction of literally hundreds of chemists and engineers at M. I. T., and "The University", in industry, and in scientific and engineering societies." Scientist, scholar, teacher- Bob retired from active business life when he departed the post of Director of Development at the Virginia-Carolina Chemical Corporation in 1957. He remained as a consultant with that firm until 1965. A long time colleague at Virginia-Carolina praised his many professional achievements and described Bob as "the finest type of man in every way. Admired and loved by all who ever came in contact with him. His only faults are virtues of being too considerate of other people."Bob Kean's long professional career was supported and sustained by his family life. On December 26, 1927 he married Sarah Rice Elliott of New Orleans and Albermarle County and in due course Jefferson Randolph II and Margaret Young arrived to fill out the family ranks. Bob often spoke of the deep contentment he drew from his domestic life. He had great faith in the family as a social unit indispensable to the good society and to a happy personal life. He retained this faith throughout his life.Bob Kean's reverance for family is in no way better evidenced than by his lifelong devotion to The Monticello Association. A member of the Association since its founding in 1913 until his death in 1985 he served it in a variety of capacities including Secretary-Treasurer (1926-1939), President (1939-1941), Recording Secretary (1941-1950) and Trustee of the Endowment Fund (1953-1974) to which he gave continuing and effective support. Bob took a very active part in doing much of the work involved in conducting Association business by serving over a long period on eight committees, seven of which he chaired. His wise counsel and gentle presence will be sorely missed by the Monticello family.
There are some things very special about Bob Kean that a review of essentially biographical information fails to reveal. Bob had a presence. He was gentle and thoughtful. He chose reason over confrontation but was forthright and compelling. He applied the traditional values of the Enlightenment to his own life. Our lives always had a certain assurance and serenity by simply knowing he was there. We will miss him.