Keith Bottomley was born in Fitzroy, the son of William Francis Stamp Bottomley MD MS, a prominent surgeon, and Georgiana Mary Hearve. He was educated at Scotch College, Melbourne, and in 1925 commenced his medical course at the University of Melbourne. He was a resident medical officer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 1932 and then proceeded to England for postgraduate studies in 1933. He was medical superintendent at the Royal Chest Hospital in 1934 and 1935 and later tuberculosis officer to the London County Council. He became a member of the Royal College of Physicians in 1937 and also in that year married Dolores Preudhomme of Canada. He then returned to Australia and was appointed honorary physician to Prince Henry's Hospital and became a lecturer in histology at the University of Melbourne.

In 1939 he enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy as a medical specialist and served in Australia and South West Pacific Area until 1946, attaining the rank of surgeon commander. He continued his association with the navy for many years after the war. In 1946 he was appointed honorary physician to inpatients, Prince Henry's Hospital and continued his association with the hospital until his death. He was dean of the medical school at that hospital from 1959 to 1962, and from 1962 to 1965 he was lecturer in therapeutics at the University of Melbourne. He became consultant physician to the same hospital in 1962. He was elected to the board of management to the hospital in 1958 and in 1973 became president of the board. In 1977 Keith was made an OBE for his services to medicine.

Keith's quiet but firm personality and his knowledge and skill as a physician were greatly respected. His special interests were in cardiology and occupational medicine and he was a member of the appropriate societies. He had two sons, one of whom is deceased. He is survived by his widow. His interests were gardening, golf (he was a member of Greenacres and Peninsula Golf Club) he was a member of the Naval and Military Club, of the Melbourne Cricket Club and a keen follower of football. He was also interested in art and the theatre.