World Education Mourns the Loss of Thomas Keehn
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| Thomas Keehn |
The World Education community mourns long-time
World Education friend and board member
Reverend Thomas B. Keehn, who died on
Tuesday, June 16th, at the age of 93.
Tom had a long relationship with World
Education and was instrumental in providing
support and guidance to the organization
throughout its history.
Tom's relationship with World Education
began in 1952 when he was working for
Nelson Rockefeller's American Association
for Economic and Social Development in
India. World Education was not yet established
when Tom met Welthy Fisher, the woman
who went on to found the organization.
The two formed a friendship based on
optimism, generosity, and dedication
to bettering the lives of people who
were born into poverty and oppression.
In 1969, Tom became executive vice president
of World Education. He went on to serve
as president of from 1972-1980. Thereafter,
until his death, he was a member of the
board of trustees. This past fall, Gloria
Steinem, who first met Tom in India fifty
years ago, presented him with the first
annual World Education Award.
Martha, Tom's wife of 50 years, also devoted
many years to World Education, serving
as a member of the board of trustees
and later as director of publications
for World Education. After her death
in 1996, Tom, in Martha's name, presented
World Education with twelve of the couple's
Indian paintings. In 2000, Tom published
a book entitled India Ink, which pairs
letters written by Martha during their
eight years in India with photographs
of their collection of modern Indian
art.
Joel Lamstein, president of World Education
and a friend of Tom for 30 years, said
that Tom was "totally dedicated
to World Education and our work…we
will all miss his insight and his humor."
Tom's legacy includes six children and
thirteen grandchildren. The family asks
that any contributions in Tom's memory
be made to World Education or to the
non-profit cause of the donor's choice.
A memorial service celebrating Tom's
long, full life will be held on Monday,
June 29, 6pm, at the Riverside
Church in Manhattan.
More about Tom's life.
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