Alfred Deforest Keys ’40

Deef died at his home in England Feb. 7, 2004.

Enjoying his last Christmas, Deef wore his Princeton crew cap. His car's license plate long had the identification P40 ADK. According to his family, Princeton and the class were always close to his heart during his many years abroad after graduation.

Deef prepared at Kent [Conn.] School. At Princeton he majored in English, was a member of crew and the Travel Bureau staff, and was manager of Cap and Gown.

Upon graduation, he joined Citibank in Shanghai, the city, in his words, offering the "greatest opportunities in the world." In 1942 he was captured by the Japanese and was held in the Lungwa prison camp for the duration of the war — a "frustration" of forced inactivity.

From 1960-1973 he ran his own business from Paris, "conducting business acquisitions on behalf of American companies in Europe." In 1974 he started Keyline Security PLC, an industrial-security service company, turning the CEO post over to his son, David, in December 2003.

A memorial service was held at the Seend Church in England and a memorial luncheon was held during the summer at the Devon Yacht Club in East Hampton, N.Y. To David and his family, Deef's classmates extend their sincere condolences.

The Class of 1940