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<p><em>Keith Robert Donnelly</em> was born in Cincinnati, OH to Robert Donnelly and Claire Kortekamp Donnelly on May 15, 1956. He was a graduate of Brebeuf Prep in Indianapolis, IN, where he was a varsity swimmer and student government leader. He grew up with his best friend, his older brother Kevin, who called Keith his hero. Kevin once said, “If Keith said he was going to do something, no matter how important or insignificant, I considered it done.” One of Kevin’s fondest memories was when Keith took him to a UH-1 helicopter simulator and let him “fly” for a while. </p>
<p>At West Point, Keith’s humor was beyond comparison. He would always find something funny in every situation, no matter how serious it may have been, evidenced from his days on the Plain when he would tell jokes in company parade formation. He would have everyone in stitches, but no one dared move, as they were on display in front of hundreds of visitors. He was the consummate impersonator of fellow cadets, TAC officers, and even the Superintendent, General Sid Berry. His impersonations were so good that, if you closed your eyes, you would swear the person was standing right in front of you. Even if you happened to be the brunt of his impersonation, you had to laugh because you knew it was meant in humor, not malevolence.</p>
<p>Keith was also a fearless daredevil. We used to marvel at him climbing to the top of the 35-foot diving platform and then running as fast as he could to jump as far as possible into the swimming pool. It still brings shivers up my spine to remember him doing that. At one point, when a few B-2 Bulldogs were in Las Vegas, NV, Keith jumped off the top of the Stratosphere Hotel, the city’s highest building at the time. Everyone shuddered in amazement when we saw him flying down from the top of the tower.</p>
<p>Keith said he wanted a service transfer into the Air Force upon graduation; however, that program was discontinued before his class graduated. Keith was disappointed but found his “flying wings” in the Aviation branch after being a tanker for a few years. Aviation was Keith’s passion, and he excelled in it. He had an illustrious 23-year career holding all the important jobs, including three battalion commands and duty in Operation Desert Storm.</p>
<p>Keith was a visionary. When he retired from the Army, Keith studied law at Indiana University. Knowing that lawyers were “a dime a dozen,” he entered the patent legal field, as it appeared to be a legal specialty that would always be in great demand. Keith landed a job with Allison Transmission and did patent work for them for many years as Corporate Counsel in charge of Intellectual Property and Export and Defense Compliance. He also provided his class his legal expertise (pro bono) to service mark and register its class crest with the Department of Commerce.</p>
<p>Keith never lost his love for flying. In addition to being a lawyer, he became a medical evacuation helicopter pilot with IU Health Lifeline in Indianapolis. Keith also quickly learned the medical side of evacuating and caring for patients in his care. Once he transported a patient to the hospital, and one of the ER staff asked him what the patient needed. Since Keith had medevacked so many patients by then, he gave the staff his opinion, and a few moments later the evacuation team nurse told the ER staff to do exactly what Keith had said needed to be done.</p>
<p>Keith had a huge heart and a great memory. When we were in Las Vegas one year, he gave me his earphones, pushed the play button on his iPhone, and played a song that he knew I liked a lot when we were at West Point. It wasn’t a very popular song, but one I enjoyed. For him to remember that I liked that obscure song from some 35 years before really touched my heart.</p>
<p>Keith’s life was not defined by his Army career. He was a man of great faith and it guided his life. He was involved in his church, his community, various professional societies, and most of all, his family. His love for his wife and children was always on display. I remember when he first met his wife, Katie. Once again, we were in Vegas together, and he told me how they had met. The sparkle in his eyes told me that this was his “one and only.” Soon after, they were married. </p>
<p>Keith passed away unexpectedly on the evening of September 26, 2015 in Zionsville, IN. He is survived by his wife, Katie; his children: Robert (Trey) Donnelly III, Bridget Moyer, Kylan Donnelly and KeeLee Donnelly; and his brother, Kevin Donnelly. Katie’s father summed up Keith succinctly: “A fine man who was generous with his time, talent, and treasure.” </p>
<p>Keith Donnelly was my best friend. I will never forget this great man who enriched my life and so many others. Be Thou at Peace, my brother.</p>
<p><em>— Terry R. Adams ’78, Keith’s family & classmates</em></p>
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