Mark E Keane

Mark E. Keane Husband, father, city manager, patriot and soldier, died peacefully on April 12, 2013 surrounded by family at his home in Sedona, Arizona. He was 93. Keane was born and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from the public service engineering program at Purdue University. Mr. Keane served his country in World War II in both Northern Africa and Italy. He was a member of the 338th Regimental Combat Team, 85th Infantry Division of the Army, attaining the rank of captain. Mr. Keane served as city manager of Shorewood, Wisconsin, Oak Park, Illinois, and Tucson, Arizona, from 1950-1966. In 1966 Keane was appointed deputy assistant secretary of the newly-created federal department of Housing and Urban Development. He served as president of the International City Management Association and became executive director of ICMA in 1967, serving in that post until 1983. While at ICMA, Mr. Keane founded the ICMA Retirement Corporation to meet the pension needs of state and local government employees; participated in dozens of White House meetings leading to the adoption of revenue sharing policy to address urban problems; served on the President's Committee on the Employment of the Handicapped; and increased participation of minorities and women in local government through scholarships and internship programs. After leaving ICMA, Keane taught at George Washington University, where he was co-creator of a Master's degree program in association management. Keane met the former Carolyn Mims while the two were serving in a federal government internship program in Washington in 1941. When Keane was inducted into the Army in 1942, the two married in Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Mark and Carolyn had eight children. Carolyn died of cancer in 1977. Keane was also predeceased by sons Paul and Mark, Jr. In 1981, Keane married fellow public management professional Judith Mohr. The two moved to Sedona, Arizona, where Keane became an active community member, volunteering at his church, the library and a state park, and remained engaged in local government affairs. Mark and Judith maintained an active family and community life and took memorable trips to Korea, China, Turkey and Europe. Keane was a man who cared deeply about his family. He delighted in children, laughed easily and loved deeply. He was a true patriot and was committed to excellence and integrity. Keane is survived by his beloved wife, Judith; by their children, Dan, Dennis, Brian, Peter, Mary, Barry, Nancy, Mark and Monty and by 19 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sedona Sunrise Adult Care Center, http://www.sedonasunrisecenter.org. Arrangements by GREER'S MORTUARY.