I dated Ed briefly in high school, and he was my first real heartbreak.  He had such vision, ambition, and magnetism even at that young are.  I have thought of him often over the years and am so sad to learn of his death.  I wish I could have known him later in life.  My sympathies to his parents and family.

Shelly & Alex, We were shocked and saddened to hear about Ed.  He was such a warm and happy spirit.  We loved him dearly and always enjoyed our visits and dinners.  Our thoughts are with you.  Much Love, Troy & Debra Corbin

Ed was a servant leader in the truest sense.  He inspired, championed, and served countless friends, colleagues, and students - each of whom I am certain will carry on his legacy, character, and commitment to service.  From coaching to chemistry, his talents were diverse, but none as special as his ability to connect to each of us through humor, compassion, and genuine interest.  He had the rare ability to lead by recognizing the potential of every individual. His commitment to each of us, and to his family, extended into his personal mission to improve medicine and better each of our lives.  We owe it to Ed to carry his service, compassion, and commitment forward, and, as he stated in his 2010 speech to OHSU's graduating class, to remember:  "the value of time, the success of perseverance, the dignity of simplicity, the worth of character, the influence of example, the obligation of duty, the virtue of patience, the power of kindness." As both a mentor and friend, Ed was a true inspiration. I will miss him deeply. 

All of my thoughts and love to Shelley and Alex Keenan, their family and friends.

I work for Creighton University in Development and met Ed about 4 years ago. He has been a friend and mentor for me and he was one of my favorite people to visit. I am shocked and saddened he has left us so early, but thankful I was able to cross his path and learn from him. Ill always remember his as a caring teacher who shared my affinity for CU. God Bless.

Alan and I were so shocked and heartsick to learn of Ed's passing. We are so sorry for your loss. We thought the world of Ed, such a wonderful man, and have many cherished memories of our times together.

Along with being an excellent and energetic teacher, Ed was a great guy. Although I was one of 100 or so medical students in the OHSU class of 1989, Ed knew all of our names. About 10 years later, I showed up at a reunion of alumni in the Washington, DC area, and Ed instantly recognized and greeted me by name.
It's a shock to hear that this bright and cheerful light is gone, but his memory and impact on all of us will live on.

Ed was instrumental in my joining OHSU and was always a friend and mentor. He was delightful to work with--even through long hours of LCME accreditation--and approached all projects thoughtfully and intelligently. His expertise was diverse, and thankfully included best restaurants and wine. He will indeed be greatly missed.

His words and actions were one, he truly cared about every student in our class with a genuine interest and a genuine heart. He will be truly missed
Class of 2012

Early in his career at OHSU Ed and I were collaborators on a research project involving the quantitative analysis of estrogen receptors in ovine tissues. Ed was an excellent scientist and my graduate students benefited greatly from their exposure to this man. Ed made special trips to OSU to present lectures in my Biochemistry class on Hormones and Cancer. He enjoyed doing this as a favor to me and his lectures were always stimulating and much appreciated by the students. Ed was a true gentleman and a scholar and an individual who had a great sense of humor. We will miss him.
Dr. Fredrick Stormshak, Oregon State University

I remember Dr. Keenan as an excellent teacher, listener, and administrator - those 3 things are not always strengths in the same person, but thankfully for my (and many others) med school class, they were in Ed Keenan.  
Sincerely,
Kathleen Wilder, OHSU class of 2003

Dr. Keenan was one of the highlights of medical school at OHSU.  His kindness,  integrity and desire to see his students succeed were unmatched.  He will be missed.  Rachel Chard Class of 2011

I knew Ed since early childhood. I, as I am sure everyone is, am shocked. My parents moved from Seattle to Shelton in 1958. Our parents were good friends. Our families were both Catholic and involved in our local Parish. He preceded me as a member of the Fiji house at the UW and he was instrumental in getting me into the organization. I remember going to a rush function at his parent's home on Hood Canal. I had seen him recently at several annual alumni dinners we have and had great conversations. I am so sorry. I can't imagine what happened. He seemed so good the last time I saw him. My heart goes out to his family, associates and all his friends. God rest his Immortal Soul!

Thank you Dr. Keenan for shepherding us through medical school with understanding and a desire to help us become the best physicians we can be. I hope you and your family know the impact you have had on the planet.  Erin Schneider Class of 2007

Ed touched many lives at OHSU and The Foundation for Medical Excellence. He is one of the great ones with whom I have been associated. 

He reached out to me just two days before his untimely death to note that he had been thinking about me and had noticed my name in an article about my institution. He clearly was a master statesman and marvelous friend.

Shelley and Alex, please accept my sympathies.  Ed's death is such a shock.  I knew Ed for many years as a faculty colleague at OHSU and after he came to his new position at The Foundation for Medical Excellence when he hosted gatherings of the Collegium for the Study of the Spirit of Medicine.  I always had great admiration for his thoughtfulness, creativity, and commitment to the learning process.  He never lost sight of the fact that true intellectual growth occurs only when connected with all the many dimensions of human nature.  He had an admirable joy in being part of that experience with his students and colleagues.  Ed fits perfectly the image of Chaucer's Clerk of Oxenford--"...gladly would he learn and gladly teach."

I was surprised and deeply saddened to hear about Ed Keenan's death.  I had the great privilege of working with Dr. Keenan for 20 years, both in  teaching the second year medical students and in his position with the hormone receptor lab.  Ed was always upbeat, no matter what was going on.  His positive attitude was a blessing.  His medical student lectures were lucid.  He was so supportive of the medical and graduate students. He will be missed.

My deepest sympathy to Ed's family. He was a great contributor to medical education at OHSU and around the nation. A great loss.

Ed was a new Assistant Professor when I started graduate school in the Dept of Pharmacology at Univ of Oregon Medical School in 1975. Ed was always most kind, friendly, and supportive, and was a great teacher. It is a tragic loss for his friends and family, and I'm sorry we didn't have a chance to say good-bye and to say thank you.

I didn't know Dr Keenan very well. But sitting in a seat in his lecture hall was enough to see the twinkle in his eye as he peered over his glasses, his love of science and teaching, the heartfelt warmth and dedication to students. He taught pharmacology in a way that still resonates with and guides me. But more than that, he made me want to be a better person and a better physician. The world seems a little less bright without him.

A life with relationships that can never be reproduced, one lived with great kindness and commitment to what he thought was good and right.  My deepest sympathies to Shelley, Alex, Mick, and Mary Ann.  Words are never enough....

Ed was a fellow graduate student with me during our time together at Creighton, prior to both of us leaving to complete our doctoral programs at different universities. He was a cherished "long-distance" friend and we often caught up on each other's lives at annual professional meetings, and several visits, both in Portland and in Rochester. Ed was always at the top of his game and one of the more forward thinking Deans of Medical Education. I valued his friendship and judgement, his wonderful sense of humor, his expertise in how to grill salmon and choose a fine wine, and his jovial demeanor and "can do" attitude. Paula and I will always cherish our fond memories of Ed and our hearts go out to Shelly and Alex, and the entire Keenan family.
John & Paula Hansen (Rochester, NY)

Ed's academic achievements, both as student and teacher, are astonishing.  He was a true scientist no doubt.  But what I will remember is the glow that exuded when Ed shared an update of Shelley's equestrian pursuits or Alex's success on the mound.  He was proud beyond words when it came to his family, always emphasizing how lucky he was.

I had the privilege to share five years of coaching with Ed.  We both relished our son's basketball exploits, and Ed especially challenged Alex's athletic efforts, but beamed with pride with every great play Alex delivered for our team.  As you might also imagine our stats book was letter perfect.

Sitting on the practice sidelines with Ed every evening for five months produced eclectic conversations ranging from politics to sports, religion to economics and the arts to science.  Ed knew something about everything, and everything about some things.  Game day behavior wasn't as civil.  Ed lived with the team's success or failure and became ecstatic with Alex's play or anguished over any mistake.  Ed played every game with his son.  A few clipboards were never the same.

I will miss our annual catch-up beers, his master of ceremonies performance at the TFME Kitzhaber Chair event, and so many memories of his diplomatic way with anyone he encountered.  I will always be grateful for his tempering restraint of my reactions to meddlesome parents and his patience with all that we did to teach decent fundamental basketball to rowdy exuberant, and sometimes irreverent kids.

To Shelley and Alex, I can assure you, your husband, your dad, not only adored you as his family, he strived to ensure you would be proud of him too.  I'd say he succeeded, I know you would agree.  Sincere condolences from Barbara, Ben, Betsy and myself.  Our prayers are with you.

Dr. Keenan served the American Cancer Society in many leadership roles over the years, including leading our local Board of Directors, and guiding the Harvey Baker Lectures, a program dedicated to steering promising medical students into the oncology field.  Running through and standing above his intellectual and organizational contributions to the American Cancer Society, he gave the gift of his warm, irreverent and deeply kind being.  Every one of us who knew him, however slightly, remembers him with great affection and gratitude.

Dr. Keenan was a captivating teacher and an integral part of the OHSU community. I will miss his kind and thoughtful personality. My deepest condolences to the Keenan family.

He was one of the most important people in my medical school experience.  He took time out of a day of accreditation to have lunch with me and one other medical student because he knew I was having some personal difficulties.  He was one of the kindest, most genuine human beings I have met and I will sit up straight and walk taller for having known him.

Dr Keenan was one of the brightest leaders at OHSU, and a great mentor during my time there as a medical student. His work on the Foundation for Medical Excellence has shaped so many young doctors. He will be missed.

We are just heart sick at the passing of Dr. Keenan, a fabulous boss and kindest of men.  Will miss his humor and brilliance.

Ed was a mentor and friend to many OHSU faculty, including me. He was a great OHSU leader who could be counted on for his moral compass and sense of institutional direction.  His leadership at the Foundation for Medical Excellence was likewise groundbreaking. His dedication to students and colleagues was unparalleled.  My heartfelt prayers go out to his family, you were his greatest joy.  Lisa Dodson

I have know Ed since he first joined the faculty at OHSU. We served on many committees together and taught in the same medical student courses. Ed was a constant champion for medical students, the teaching faculty and the physician. His untimely death is a great loss for the Oregon medical community. We shall miss him. George Olsen, Professor Emeritus

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. We think of your family often and remember a beautiful evening of dinner and laughter. Please let us know when the service is and if there is anything our family can do to help. Much love and care,  Lar, Nan, Haylee and Addison

OBITUARY

Edward J. Keenan

September 6, 1948 – August 14, 2014

Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary & Sunset Hills Memorial Park

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