MICHAEL A.M. KEEHNER

MICHAEL A.M. KEEHNER
1943–2025
Michael A.M. Keehner, a distinguished investment banker, devoted teacher, and loving husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on October 24th, 2025. He was 81.
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Michael grew up on a farm in Eldridge where he graduated as valedictorian of North Scott High School. His intellectual curiosity and drive carried him from a one-room schoolhouse to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a degree in Nuclear Physics in 1965, and then to Harvard Business School, where he graduated with High Distinction as a Baker Scholar and Loeb Rhoades Fellow in 1971.
Michael began his career as a nuclear submarine systems and radiological engineer at General Dynamics, rising quickly into management roles and culminating in the leadership of a 110-person systems development team.
After earning his MBA, he spent more than two decades at Kidder, Peabody & Co. where he held several executive positions as Chairman & Director of KP International, President & CEO of KP Exploration, Executive Managing Director of Individual Investor Services and served on the firm's Board of Directors and Executive Committee. A major accomplishment was leading the turnaround of its largest business division. His leadership, strategic insight, and ability to navigate complex corporate challenges earned him national recognition within the financial industry.
After Kidder's acquisition in 1994, Michael formed his own strategic advisory and investment firm and later became Owner and Managing Partner of Ore Hill Capital LLC. His work spanned energy, natural resources, technology, and financial services, and he served on numerous corporate boards in the United States and abroad, including the Board of Directors at Oppenheimer Holdings, Inc.
Teaching became one of Michael's great joys later in life. As an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, he taught courses in entrepreneurial finance, leadership, risk management, and financial services, influencing generations of students with his clarity of thought, high standards, and generous mentorship. He was also a faculty leader at the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Center for Leadership and Ethics.
Michael cared deeply for the civic and cultural life of the communities he called home. He served as President of the Heights Casino in Brooklyn Heights, Board Member of the Brooklyn Museum, Governor and Treasurer of the Point O' Woods Association on Fire Island.
In his personal life, Michael had a lifelong enthusiasm for classic cars and boats, having restored several with his sons. He had a zeal for exploration and traveled with his family to Central America, Africa and Europe. He enjoyed art, sailing, deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, tennis, and geology. In his later life, he loved tending to his rose garden and nurturing his extensive orchid collection.
Above all, Michael was devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife, Lee Ann Dunn; his children, Brigham and Jonathan; his grandchildren and his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret & Micheal Gillick, and a circle of friends, colleagues, and former students who admired him for his intellect and gusto. He split his time between New York City and Santa Fe, where he led an extensive life anchored in learning, projects and being surrounded by the people he loved.
Services will be held in New York City, with burial to follow in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.