PELHAM - Robert Lord Keyes, 60, of South Valley Road, Pelham, passed away suddenly on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011.

He was born on April 7, 1951, to Pearly and Sally Keyes of Pelham. His parents preceded him in death.

Rob graduated from Amherst Regional High School in 1969. He attended Kendall College in Evanston, Ill., and lived in Chicago for several years. After returning to Pelham he attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and graduated with his bachelor's and master's degrees in history.

Rob was a gifted writer - he was a published poet and a prolific chronicler of the history of Pelham. He leaves behind a legacy of 25 years of research and writing on Pelham's history. Rob shared his love of history, especially Pelham's history, with many people over the years. He was the town archivist for the town of Pelham, and the History Room coordinator for the Pelham Public Library. Rob was an active member of the Pelham Historical Society and was a volunteer at the Amherst Survival Center for several years.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Kathleen; his brother, Paul L. Keyes, and sister-in-law, Cindi, of Springfield; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tom and Marilyn Weidner of Illinois; his nieces, Dianne Tatro, Sharon Keyes, Patricia Pierson, Theresa Cotter, and Jan Arbuckle; and nephews, Paul L. Keyes Jr., Remington Keyes, Aidan Keyes and Timothy Weidner; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

A service to celebrate Rob's life will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to The Pelham Historical Society, 351 Pelham Road, Pelham, MA 01002; or the Amherst Survival Center, P.O. Box 9629, North Amherst, MA 01059-9629.

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.