Dr. Sammy "Sam" Rogene Keeley

Dr. Sammy "Sam" Rogene Keeley, PhD., 85, passed away peacefully at his home in Chesterfield, Virginia on October 18, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Sam was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1941. He grew up in Kansas City where he fell head over heels in love with Suanne Goldwood in high school. They were married in 1964 and went on to have three amazing children, Blair, Shea, and Whitney, and more than a lifetime's worth of adventures. Sam began a career as a professor and always having the itch for the new and novel, Sam moved his family to Saudi Arabia where Sam worked for Saudi Aramco's economics department for 26 years.

Sam will always be remembered as a man that didn't understand the word impossible. He was told by his guidance counselor in high school that he would never make it in college, and went on to get his PhD. He was told he should stay where he was and went on to circumnavigate the world on two separate occasions, bringing his family along with him. He took what was given him and created something bigger and better for his family, giving them opportunities he never had. And after the kids grew up and started families of their own, he and Suanne continued their adventures, which included camping in the Rub' Al Khali desert with friends where they explored ancient mysteries of the Arabian Peninsula. In 2001, Sam and Suanne returned home to Virginia to begin one of their greatest achievements ever, being grandparents and becoming great-grandparents.

Sam is survived by his wife Suanne, their three children, Blair Keeley, Shea Schobel, and Whitney Burns, their spouses, thirteen grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

He has truly left a legacy that will change the world. Sam was a man of faith, and the family is absolutely sure there was a party planned for his arrival in heaven, which included Kansas City barbeque, plenty of ice cream, and blue grass music... live, of course, complete with yodeling. Sam loved nothing more than pouring in to the lives of young people and encouraging them in their endeavors.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Sam's name to the youth organizations in your area that encourage parents and their children to experience sports and the arts together, just like he did.

The family is being served by the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son.