Gerald T. Keating of Dorset Road in Springs, a veteran of the United States Navy whose global perspective was enriched by the 17 countries across Europe and Asia he visited during his military career, died on June 9 at the age of 94.
In the 1950s, Mr. Keating rose to the rank of lieutenant in the Navy, his assignments including the U.S.S. Pittsburgh heavy cruiser and the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard.
An engineer, systems thinker, and leader, he made lasting contributions across several companies, his longtime partner, Roseanne Bradley, said. These included Pratt & Whitney, then part of the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation, General Electric, and the Barden Corporation. Later in life, he pursued independent work, becoming a builder of 15 custom residences on the East End.
Gerald T. Keating was born in 1930 in East Orange, N.J. He graduated from Erasmus Hall High School, in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood, in 1948, earning a scholarship to attend Columbia University. There he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951 and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1955. He went on to earn a master’s degree in economics and production from the Harvard Business School in 1959.
Mr. Keating was known for his intellect, discipline, adventurous spirit, and craftsmanship, Ms. Bradley said, across warships, workshops, classrooms, and construction sites. Aside from his military and professional careers, he was an enthusiastic watercolorist, photographer, and gardener.
Along with Ms. Bradley, Mr. Keating is survived by three children, Alycia Keating and Kathleen Keating, both of Derby, Conn., and Gerald Keating Jr. of Montauk.
A service will be held on Friday, July 11, at noon at Calverton National Cemetery. Mr. Keating’s family has suggested memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org.
