Edward James Keenan

The other day I was reminiscing about growing up on Hood Canal and about the wonderful neighbors we had next door in the Keenan family. Even though Ed and Mick were a bit older, they always took time to talk to me and spend time with me. I was so proud of them and the fields they chose to work in. Even after I was married and we visited with my mother, we would find Ed and Mick there on occasion and get to have grown-up conversations with them. They always had advice for me on raising our...

I was surprised to see this request for a memory of Ed since he has popped into my mind during the past few months as I have been consulting with the School of Nursing to prepare for the SON upcoming professional accreditation. I have often told my colleagues how valuable he was when we worked together as OHSU prepared for regional accreditation. I am sure that I am not the only one who thinks about and misses him. Mary McFarland

Late entry in the field: I just heard of Ed's passing a week ago, and was truly saddened. I started to work for him in July of 1976, in the CRC Lab, and then in the HRL, through 1979. His approach to research, and determination to accomplish the requirements of the task at hand have been a model for me. I especially appreciated his communication skills, especially as a lecturer. Off-duty, he was a friend who invited me along on trips to Hood's Canal and around Portland, always ready to...

I just read of Ed's passing in the Emeritus newsletter. I worked with Ed off and on at OHSU when I was a faculty member and as Executive Associate Dean in the School of Nursing and were often on interdisciplinary OHSU committees. We worked together on regional accreditation on more than one occasion. When I saw his name on a committee roster I was pleased that once again, we would work together. My condolences tp his family.
Mary McFarland EdD, RN (OHSU School of Nursing)

September 8, 2014

My condolence to the family of Ed. I got to know him as the assistant dean of the medical school when I was the alumni president 1997-1998. I had told Ed that I felt he should be a dean of a medical school. My wife Patricia Wagner M.D. knew Dr. Keenan as a student and again much appreciated as a superb educator. To see the obituary notice was such a shock, a major loss too soon in life.

Pat and David Wagner Class of '84 and '67.

I was shocked to just hear this news. I was one of Dr. Keenan's many students at OHSU. What a great lecturer he was! Pharmacology was never boring, even when it was. ;) I am sorry for his loss to his family and the OHSU community.

I want to pay sincerest condolences to Dr. Keenan's family on his passing. I knew him through my time at the medical school. I always hoped I had the opportunity to know him more and continue the journey with him. I'll continue on inspired by his excellent and caring example. Prayers.

I am one of the inumerable former medical students Dr. Keenan nurtured through medical school. I experienced him as a pesonal mentor and have often thought of him --always with gratitude-- in my years since starting practice. As someone who taught before entering medical school, I especially appreciated him as an educator and am so grateful he was our associate dean. My condolances to his family -- this is too great of loss, far too early.

I knew Ed when I worked at OHSU in the late 1970s. His intelligence, curiosity, energy and willingness to discuss his research always left me impressed and thankful. After leaving OHSU, I ran into Ed at various events on the OHSU campus. Always the same vibrant person. I'm so sorry to learn of his passing at such a young age. My deepest condolences to the family of this extraordinary person.