Robert Munson Kee ’42

Bob Kee, 81, a pioneer in development of commercial and military helicopters, died Mar. 28, 2001, at home in Stratford, Conn.

He prepared at Morristown [N.J.] HS. At Princeton, Bob earned highest honors in civil engineering and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He was a member of Gateway Club. Upon graduation, Bob joined Sikorsky Aircraft, where he worked closely with founder-inventor Igor Sikorsky on the birth of a machine that has saved thousands of lives in military and domestic emergencies, and rescue missions.

In 1951 Bob married M. Laura Mae Baddaker. They were married 20 years and raised two children, Robert William, who died in 1976, and Mary Denise. Bob's "first love" was going to Maine every summer to spend time with his family.

Bob's entire career was in helicopter design and development at Sikorsky. He made major award-winning contributions to development of the rotor. After retiring in 1977 as chief of test engineering, Bob dedicated his time and many talents to his family, the First Congregational Church of Stratford, and the Rockwood [Maine] Community Church. He was dearly loved by many people in both churches.

To Bob's family and many close friends, the class conveys its deepest condolences.

The Class of 1942