We learned Thursday that our friend and former colleague Keith McKeen died this week of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He had just turned 73.
With his distinct white hair and baritone voice, Keith — who we affectionately called “The Silver Fox” — was a fixture at Maine Public Radio when he retired in 2009. He began his career here in 1970. Charles Beck, vice president of programming, says Keith wore many hats in the early years.
“He was the original reporter, host, and producer for our flagship news program, Maine Things Considered,” he says. “He was also our news director for much of his tenure here at MPBN.”
Keith had an encyclopedic knowledge about a little bit of everything in Maine, from history and geography to the region’s more colorful characters. He never had a shortage of story ideas. Over the years, he reported on a universe of topics, including energy, developments in education and sports, a particular passion for Keith.
In the newsroom, Keith was known for his ability to put anybody at ease, and to do something that so many of us neglect to do in our daily lives: to listen. That led to great interviews and great stories.
Listeners could easily recognize Keith’s soothing, steady voice. But what you might not have experienced was what Deputy News Director Susan Sharon calls Keith’s “gentle spirit.” Those of us who worked with Keith loved that about him.
All of us here at MPBN are sad to learn of his death, and our thoughts are with his family: his wife, Judy, and daughters, Stephanie, Nikki and Jill.
MPBN’s Jeanne Coffin contributed to this story.
