The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) mourns the passing of:
Walter William Keyes, MD (June 7, 1942 – September 25, 2025)
Dr. Keyes, aged 83, died peacefully in his sleep at home on September 25, 2025. He was born June 7, 1942, in Dayton, OH. He was a regular attendee at the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Family Medicine Workshop.
Dr. Keyes earned his medical degree at Marquette Medical School and completed residency at St. Elizabeth Hospital. During his 52-year medical career, he served as chief of staff at St. Elizabeth and as president of the Montgomery County Medical Society while mostly in private family practice in Dayton.
Patients often shared how much they valued Dr. Keyes’ thoughtful approach, taking time to understand their lives during office visits and calling them in the evenings at home to check on their progress. He embodied attentive, personalized care, carrying his doctor’s bag throughout Dayton neighborhoods on house calls, often with his children in tow. Meaningful relationships were built along the way.
From 1972 to 1978, Dr. Keyes served as a flight surgeon with the Ohio National Guard’s 178th Tactical Fighter Group, where he was thrilled to fly in the F-100s. He took great pride in being part of this group and never missed the chance to point out “his plane” at the National Museum of the United States Air Force to his grandchildren on each visit. Additionally, it was a pleasure for him to perform flight physicals at Wright Patterson and around Dayton, serving the pilot community, both military and civil.
Read his full obituary online.
Please share condolences below and consider a donation to the OAFP Foundation in his memory.
If you know of the passing of a family physician or a supporter of family medicine, please email Emily Pavoni with a link to their obituary.