Arthur H. Keyes Jr. ’39

Our distinguished architect died June 7, 2012, in Washington, D.C., the locale of much of his work. With graceful humor, he expressed his gratitude to Princeton in our 50th-reunion book in this way: “If there had not been an architecture department, I probably would never have pursued architecture as my life’s work. And architecture opened the way to a truly liberal arts education such as one supposedly, but not always, acquires in college.”

After graduation, Art earned a master’s degree from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, then served in the Navy designing ships, including being part of the team that created the vital amphibious landing craft.

In 1956, he founded his own firm in Washington, Keyes Condon Florance. Among the firm’s noteworthy buildings are Hydrospace Research Corp. in Rockville, Md., and the renovation of the West Wing of the National Gallery of Art. He will be especially remembered for the innovative designs of his own homes and the development Sea Ridge on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Art is survived by two children and four grandchildren, including Arthur S. Keyes ’68, Jesse Keyes ’94, and Abigail Keyes ’02. The class sends sympathy to them all.