Obituary of Richard Joseph Keenan

Richard Joseph Keenan, 83, passed away on October 5, 2023.  He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia; brothers Charlie, Mike, and Tom.

He is survived by daughters Shawne, Molly, and Katie Anderson (Pat); grandsons Landis, Charlie, and Axel; sister Mary Margaret Leary; brothers John, Joe, and Pat; and many other extended family members.

Rich grew up in St. Paul and spent the rest of his life in the Twin Cities. He attended Cretin High School where he played golf and was part of the championship hockey team. He received a golf caddy scholarship from The Evans Scholars Foundation and eventually served as the national president of the organization. He also had the chance to caddy for Sam Sneed, who was the most famous professional golfer in the world, in a PGA tournament.  

He attended the University of Minnesota where he earned a B.A. and J.D.  He was admitted to the Minnesota bar in 1967.  He practiced law for many years and specialized in business litigation, corporate law, and legislative law.  

One of his early clients was The Minnesota State Fair where he went on to serve many years on the Board of Managers there.  He loved the Fair and he loved to share that passion with others.  His love of the State Fair made him an expert tour guide - he could direct you to the best foot-long hotdog, his favorite French fries, and he delighted in gracing his friends and family with tickets to the grandstand concerts.  He had many adventures with his fellow board members driving around the grounds in golf carts.  Next year, the family plans to add a commemorative bench to the State Fairgrounds in his memory.

He loved family trips, especially ski trips to Lutsen for New Year’s Eve or to Colorado to teach his girls how to ski on a real mountain.  He loved Davanni's pizza, Baker's Square pie, and any food offered by State Fair vendors.  He loved family walks down to Lake Harriet to feed the ducks and visit the bandstand for live music.  He loved annual father/daughter fishing trips to Northern Minnesota or remote Canadian waters with some of his friends who were also blessed with having daughters. 

A special thank you to his brother, Joe, his roommate, keeper, and partner in crime for the past 20 years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Evans Scholars Foundation, or to The Minnesota State Fair Foundation.  Thank you.

A private memorial to follow at a later date.

"Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day.

Unseen, unheard, but always near.  Still loved, still missed, and always dear."