Dr. Daniel J. Keenan, Sr.

12/09/1940 - 09/13/2023

Text:

Obituary For Dr. Daniel J. Keenan, Sr.

Dr. Daniel J. Keenan Sr., 82, of Steubenville, OH, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Trinity West Medical Center. He was born December 9, 1940, in Spangler, PA, as the eldest of two sons to the late Charles Hugh Keenan and Bernice (Sullivan) Keenan. Upon graduation from John Carroll High School in Carrolltown, PA, Dan attended Lock Haven University, where he met the love of his life, Frances Dianne (Rothrauff) Keenan. Dan and Dianne were married on December 28, 1963, and were blessed to have three sons and nine grandchildren.

While at Lock Haven, Dan was a three-year starter playing both ways on the Bald Eagle football team and captain his senior year. After graduating in 1963, he began his career as a lifelong educator. He started teaching and coaching in Windber, PA and served as an administrator in PA after earning a master’s degree from West Virginia University in 1967.

Dan found his roots in 1968 when he moved to Steubenville to take on the principal position at Grant Jr. High. Over the next 25 years, Dan committed his heart and soul to serving the Steubenville City Schools as an administrator, culminating in 14 years as superintendent of the district. As superintendent, he helped the school system earn state-wide recognition for academic success. He heavily emphasized developing well-rounded students who excelled at everything from the visual and performing arts to athletics. He helped pass bond issues and led building projects to improve facilities for students and staff.

Dan received his doctoral degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1984. He was an innovative and visionary leader who was credited with starting and developing the gifted and honors program for students in the district, creating a preschool program in the schools, growing the district’s Scholarship Foundation and boldly reorganizing the district, including merging Grant and Harding Junior High Schools into one middle school. Dr. Keenan started the Pathfinder Awards program that honored the community’s African-American leaders who served as models to blaze the path for others.

Upon retiring from the Steubenville schools, Dan extended his lifelong dedication to educating others for the next 12 years by significantly growing the Graduate Education Department at Franciscan University as their Director. The University recognized him for this work with their Founders’ Award in 2009. During that time, he shared his expertise with and helped develop many local and regional principals and superintendents.

Dan always worked to be a leader who strived for excellence, which resulted in him earning numerous other awards and recognitions. As a student-athlete and team member, he was inducted into the Lock Haven Football Hall of Fame. Professionally he was recognized as a top 100 Educator in North America by Executive Educator, received the BASA Exemplary Leadership Award, and in 2015, the Steubenville City Schools honored him by dedicating the Dr. Daniel J. Keenan Conference Center at Steubenville High School in his name.

Dan was passionate about community service, having served many years on boards and in leadership positions for the Salvation Army,  the Steubenville/Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, and The United Way. He was a member of the Rotary Club for over 40 years and, after serving as President, was honored as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

Surviving are his wife, Dianne; three sons, Charlie Keenan and his wife Jane-Ann, Danny Keenan (Jr.) and his wife Heather, and Kelly Keenan and his wife Samantha; one brother Jimmie Keenan and his wife Julie; and nine grandchildren, Tressa Casey, Megan Keenan, Charlie Keenan, Bridget Keenan, Danny Keenan (III), Mackey Keenan, Kelly Keenan Jr, Kyle Keenan, and Koby Keenan.

Friends may call at Dunlope- Shorac Funeral Home, 215 Fernwood Rd., Wintersville, OH on Monday from 4-7p.m. Funeral Mass will held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at St. Peters Catholic Church, 10a.m. with Rev. Timothy Huffman as celebrant. Burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, those wishing to support his memory consider contributing to the Keenan Family Scholarship Fund at Steubenville High School, 420 N. 4th Street, Steubenville, OH 43952

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Condolences

  • 09/03/2024

  • 09/03/2024

    A truly thoughtful tribute to a man of many many accomplishments! I didn't know Dr Keenan personally, but his achievements had and will continue to have a lasting effect on our community. Truly his crowning achievement was that he was a man of character and he inspired others to be the same!

  • 09/03/2024

    Our family is sending sincere condolences on the passing of Dr. Dan. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and may his memorial be eternal.

  • 09/03/2024

    Dear Dianne,First, my sincere regrets at being unable to be at the showing or the funeral mass, due to other commitments. I very much wanted to be there and to honor Dan in that way because I've always had tremendous respect for him personally and professionally.Personally, he always impressed me as being solid as a rock, reliable, dependable, someone who would make a good friend—though we never quite got to that stage. He seemed to have a native wisdom, based in real-life experience beyond his impressive academic degrees. He also seemed so strong and healthy, so "vital," that it was hard to see him weakened in his last days--but this is the way we all must go. He was able to bear with it in a noble and admirable manner. May we also follow in his footsteps in this regard!In terms of his teaching and administrative abilities, he was always the consummate professional. One could go to him with a problem and get a realistic assessment of a situation together with several options for how to proceed. He seemed to have already thought things through beforehand. Further, I was always amazed at how he could handle all the busy-work that goes with administration, perhaps especially in a department of education, and not tear his hair out in frustration! (If he tore his hair out at home, or stomped, or cursed at some of the detailed silliness, OK—but I never saw it!). I mention this because that was the side of administration that I especially chafed under, while Dan seemed to maintain his peace and equilibrium. His leadership of the Masters' Programs and Certifications in the education area was worth celebrating. We took over the whole southeast quadrant of Ohio!It was a joy working with you, Dianne, for so many years and then later with both you and Dan. You made my life easier by simply handling everything in your area—I just tried to stay out of your way. But I also stayed out of your way because, as a young and inexperienced Dean, I felt a bit humbled—not to

  • 09/03/2024

    Our deepest sympathies and loving prayers for peace and comfort to Dr. Keenan's family. His legacy will endure for eternity through his remarkable sons, grandchildren, other family members -- and all the students, colleagues, friends and others who encountered him.

  • 09/03/2024

    On behalf of Milkovich Middle School in Maple Heights, we want to extend our condolences to Dr. Charlie Keenan and the entire family of the passing of Dr. Keenan. May God continue to cover your with His healing and comfort. We pray that the memories of your loved one bring you comfort. May the Light of World continue to bless you and bring your everlasting peace.

  • 09/03/2024

    Dear Dr. Keenan and Family, I offer my deepest condolences for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Dave Nicholson, JCRTA President.

  • 09/03/2024

    Dan was one of the best bosses I've ever had. He taught me so much not just about work but about life. I still remember his saying that I have repeated several times to my own students - "when in doubt - tell the truth."

  • 09/03/2024

    I'm very sorry for your loss!

  • 09/03/2024

  • 09/03/2024

  • 09/03/2024

  • 09/03/2024

  • 09/03/2024

    Dan's vision and commitment to educating the children of the Steubenville City School district was unmatched in the Ohio Valley. When my children left for college they were prepared to compete academically with the best and for that my wife and I are eternally grateful.

  • 09/03/2024

  • 09/03/2024

    Dr. Dianne, Charlie, Dan, Kelly and family. My deepest sympathy for the loss of a wonderful person in Dr. Dan. May he rest in peace. Marc & Erin DeSantis

  • 09/03/2024

  • 09/03/2024

    Keenan family,My condolences on the loss of your father and husband. What an influential life he led. Your family is in our prayers.

  • 09/03/2024

    Mr Keenan did a beautiful Irish poem with Kelly Jr , Kyle and Koby at Kelly and Samantha's wedding - it was special

  • 09/03/2024

  • 09/03/2024

  • 09/03/2024

    My condolences to the family. The impact that Dr. Keenan had on my personal and professional life is immeasurable. He helped so many in their educational journey.May his memory be eternal.

  • 09/03/2024

Add a Candle

Click a candle below to add a candle to your message.

Loading...