Michael C. Keenan

1937 - 2022

Michael Courtland Keenan, proud family man and a leading figure in the insurance industry, died December 26, surrounded by family. Although he was passionate about the Chicago Cubs, Blackhawks and Bears, as well as his Fighting Illini, what Mike loved most was being with and caring for his large extended family of 4 children and their spouses, 9 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, 4 dogs, 3 cats and, the woman he committed his life to for 59 years, Elizabeth (Libby) Lummus Keenan.

Mike lived in Evanston most of his life. When his parents were no longer able to care for their four children, they were taken in by relatives, except for Mike, who was placed in a home for boys, Lawrence Hall, in Chicago. He lived there from ages 8 to 13. At Wells High School in Chicago, he was a lefty who once threw a no-hitter and president and valedictorian of his class, earning admission to Princeton. With limited financial support, he instead headed to The University of Illinois, but left junior year when his father died. It fell to him to care for his mother, which he did for the rest of her life.

Mike started as an agent at Prudential in 1961, and met Libby a few years later, marrying her and taking on her kids - Harry, 5, and Sandy, 4 - as his own. Soon, Michael Jr. and Lucy came along. When people asked, 'Which are yours and which are Libby's," he'd answer, "Darned if I know."

He was an optimist and a kind spirit, welcoming good news with a "That's terrific!" He loved to win at bridge, basement hockey and to sing show tunes, and often with Libby on piano. He qualified for the Boston Marathon in 1979 at 42. Mike was disciplined and frugal, saving 25 cents for every dollar earned and, though he rarely talked about the hard times, he never forgot where he came from. His generosity was boundless, donating to hundreds of charities. While quick to indulge others, he was content wearing the same track suit for decades.

Much of what he missed out on as a child, he did for his children and others. He was president of the Jaycees and a founder of the Evanston Boys Hockey Association. He coached his sons' teams and never missed Lucy's soccer games or Sandy's tennis. While he wasn't able to finish college, he made certain his children did, debt free.

The Keenans spent summers on White Lake in Michigan. Although not a gifted golfer, he was known to conduct midnight raids with his grandchildren, fishing for golf balls and frogs in the water hazards at the White Lake Golf Club, where he was a member. That was about as unlawful as he got. One of his best days was Game 2 of the 2016 World Series with Mike Jr. in Cleveland, both in Cubs gear among a sea of Indians fans, sitting front row.

Mike worked into his 80s. He was president of the National Association of Life Underwriters in1984. He joined the LIFE Foundation in 1998, raising funds to promote the insurance industry. In 2010, he won the John Newton Russell Memorial Award, the highest honor in the industry.

For 20 years, he and Libby hosted Christmas trips for their children and grandchildren to ensure that the Keenan family traditions would endure. Donations may be made in his name to The Humane Society.