Project 2,996: Richard M. Keane – World Trade Center, Tower 1, 99th floor
Dick and Judy (Murphy) Keane were married prior to him attending Marine Corps OCS (Officer Candiate School) and had two children, Sean and Timothy, before Dick’s discharge from the Marines. On return to the States, Dick attended Springfield College, where he received an MEd in Rehabilitation Counseling. For the next two years he was director of a program for the Retarded and Handicapped, then he returned to the Traveler’s Insurance Company until 1994, when he joined Marsh McLennan Company. During these years, Dick also received an MBA from the University of Hartford, and three more sons were born, Daniel, Patrick and Matthew.
Dick enjoyed spending time with all five of his boys, coaching baseball, soccer, and basketball, and spending time watching their sporting and scholastic activities. Dick’s unique style of coaching included choosing teams based on compatible personalities rather than skill, and Dick made sure that all players had equal playing time. This meant that the teams rarely finished first, but they truly enjoyed playing the games.
Dick relished the time that he could spend in the garden, raising vegetables, building rock walls and tending the lawn and flowers. In the last few years he installed a naturalized fish pond, complete with plantings and fountain. He enjoyed entertaining friends and family, cooking and woodworking, and was an avid reader.
Mike Murphy, Keane’s cousin’s husband said:
The quintessential good-natured guy. Always upbeat. Always ready, willing and able to make anybody laugh. I can hear his Irish hello: “Michael, me lad!” It makes me smile just to think about it.
What an exceptional life Richard led. Those who knew him well saw him as someone who was always there to lend a hand, or share a smile. Wonderful descriptions and heartfelt memories such as:
“The glass of water was always half-full for this guy,”
exuded friendliness
It was a beautiful sunrise and it made me think of Rick and how he could brighten up any room just by walking in.
always happy, and always looked on the bright side of life. He always told jokes and he loved every member of his family more than words can tell.
May God bless and keep the family and friends of Richard Keane. May they find peace and comfort this day. May they never tire in their service to others, which they do so lovingly in memory of not only Richard, but all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Richard earned and would expect the sendoff that every Marine does: Semper Fi! Short for “Semper Fidelis”…Always Faithful! Richard WAS! Be faithful to him and the other victims of that day, remember 9/11.
Please go here to view the video of the 9-11 Memorial Sports Center dedicated by Richard’s wife, Judy.
![](http://www.parentalrights.org/vertical/Sites/%7BC49108C5-0630-467E-9B9B-B1FA31A72320%7D/uploads/%7B3EA8D754-D841-4FF4-882C-32895D89991D%7D.PNG")
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Richard shall not be forgotten. What a wonderful memorial to his memory dedicated by his wife.
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God bless and keep you, Richard…and Semper Fi, Marine.
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Thanks for your service, Marine. May the Lord comfort you until such time as you see your family again.
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We do not forget you, Richard.