Robert O'Keefe

Robert Charles O’Keefe, 65, of Fargo, passed away Sunday September 10, 2017 at Rosewood Nursing Home in Fargo. 

Robert (Bob) was born February 3, 1952 the son of Lloyd and Gloria (Becker) O’Keefe.  Bob was raised on a family farm in Crystal, ND and graduated from Valley High School.  Following graduation he joined the Army and volunteered to go to Vietnam.  However due to a service related injury, He was reassigned to Germany in an administrative position.  Following Bob’s discharge from the Army he attended UND where he met his fellow gypsy dreamer Charlotte Hammer and they married 7/8/1973.  They lived in both Grand Forks and Burlington, ND while raising their three children. Bob was an entrepreneur and had multiple automotive/transportation related businesses in Grand Forks.  While living in Burlington, Bob worked in the gaming industry for non-profit organizations.  They moved to the Twin Cities after their children were grown and Bob became a realtor and had his own real estate company.

Bob was a lifelong learner and attended UND many times over the course of his life.  Bob received a BS degree in Communications, BS in Social Work and most recently his Master’s in Social Work 2015.  Upon obtaining his social work degree Bob worked at Spirit Lake Tribal Nation as Director of Social Services.  Most recently he worked for the Fargo YMCA with the AmeriCorps program. Bob had just started working as a triage social work at NW Human Service Center in Williston when he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.  Bob and his wife Charlotte returned to Fargo for medical care and to be closer to their children and grandchildren during his final days. 

Bob enjoyed drinking coffee and conversation with friends and family, road trips, spending time with his family and watching his children/grandchildren grow-up.  He enjoyed bringing people with diverse backgrounds together for common goal and find a solution to any problem.  He loved to negotiate a deal where all parties walked away a “winner”.  His family will miss his quick wit, generous heart, and ability to look on the bright side. 

He is survived by his wife Charlotte (Hammer) of Fargo, daughter Kari Dowsley (Taylor) Fargo; son Ryan (Lindsay) O’Keefe,  St. Paul, MN; daughter Kelsi O’Keefe, New Brunswick, NJ; grandsons: Forbes, Samuel and Russell Dowsley, Fargo; sister Catherine O’Keefe, New Brighton, MN; brothers John ( Susan) O’Keefe, Grand Forks; Daniel (Deidre) O’Keefe , Crystal; and James ( Judy) O’Keefe; Sister-in-Law Connie (Gary) Ivesdal, Binford and numerous nieces and nephews who were dear to him.  He was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Gloria O’Keefe of Crystal, ND and his in-laws, Oscar and Laura Hammer of Fairdale, ND.

He was a lifetime member of the VFW.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Pray for Gray a ND nonprofit agency for assisting those diagnosed with brain tumors and their families or Red River Valley Hospice. 

Celebration of Life Service:  11:00 a.m Saturday, September 23, 2017 at West Funeral Home in West Fargo, ND

Visitation: Friday, September 22,  from 5:00 to 7:00 followed by a 7:00 pm Prayer Service at West Funeral Home in West Fargo, ND

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com