1918
Charles
2009
Charles E. Keenan
September 4, 1918 — July 28, 2009
Charles E. Keenan, 90, a long-time resident of Perkasie, passed away early Tuesday morning, July 28, 2009, in Phoebe Richland Health Care Center, Richlandtown. He was the loving husband of Nancy (Sorver) Keenan, to whom he was married 52 years. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a re-commitment ceremony.
Born in Philadelphia on September 4, 1918, he was the son of the late Thomas Keenan and the late Mabel (Christman) Keenan Jones. His father passed away during the Great Influenza Epidemic in 1918 when Charles was only a few weeks old.
As a child during the Depression, Charles supported his family by delivering sports scorecards by bicycle in Philadelphia. Later, the family lived at various locations in Upper Montgomery County and Perkasie.
A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, Keenan served in World War II as a radioman and instructor in the 28th Bomber Squadron, based in Hardwick, England. He flew 26 missions over Germany during the early part of the war, participating in bombing raids on Berlin, Frankfurt, Bremen, and Dresden, among others. He was the recipient of the Air Medal with three Oak Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with four bronze Service Stars, and the Good Conduct Medal.
He was an electrical engineer at the U.S. Gauge Division of AMETEK, Inc., Sellersville; Philco-Ford, Lansdale; and Schulmerich Carillons, Sellersville. Charles held three patents, one of which was a triggering device for the Titan missile, a critical defense missile during the Cold War. He designed and set up the test equipment at Philco-Ford’s South American plant. His last project at Schulmerich Carillons was digitizing carillonic bells.
He was a member of the Pennridge Community Senior Center, Silverdale, where he and his wife were active fund-raisers. He was also a lifetime member of the Coopersburg Fire Company. A talented artist, he had won many awards for his oils and acrylics.
Charles is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, and his five beloved cats: "Bell," "Teddy," "Tippie," "Addie," and "Harvey." He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard.
His Funeral Service will be held Saturday, August 1, 2009, at 11:30 AM in the Pennridge Community Senior Center, 146 East Main Street (Routes 113 and 152), Silverdale, PA 18962. Family and friends may call at the Senior Center on Saturday morning, from 10:00 AM until time of service.
Interment will be in St. Andrew’s Union Cemetery, Perkasie.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pennridge Community Senior Center, 146 East Main Street, Perkasie, PA 18944.
Born in Philadelphia on September 4, 1918, he was the son of the late Thomas Keenan and the late Mabel (Christman) Keenan Jones. His father passed away during the Great Influenza Epidemic in 1918 when Charles was only a few weeks old.
As a child during the Depression, Charles supported his family by delivering sports scorecards by bicycle in Philadelphia. Later, the family lived at various locations in Upper Montgomery County and Perkasie.
A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, Keenan served in World War II as a radioman and instructor in the 28th Bomber Squadron, based in Hardwick, England. He flew 26 missions over Germany during the early part of the war, participating in bombing raids on Berlin, Frankfurt, Bremen, and Dresden, among others. He was the recipient of the Air Medal with three Oak Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with four bronze Service Stars, and the Good Conduct Medal.
He was an electrical engineer at the U.S. Gauge Division of AMETEK, Inc., Sellersville; Philco-Ford, Lansdale; and Schulmerich Carillons, Sellersville. Charles held three patents, one of which was a triggering device for the Titan missile, a critical defense missile during the Cold War. He designed and set up the test equipment at Philco-Ford’s South American plant. His last project at Schulmerich Carillons was digitizing carillonic bells.
He was a member of the Pennridge Community Senior Center, Silverdale, where he and his wife were active fund-raisers. He was also a lifetime member of the Coopersburg Fire Company. A talented artist, he had won many awards for his oils and acrylics.
Charles is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, and his five beloved cats: "Bell," "Teddy," "Tippie," "Addie," and "Harvey." He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard.
His Funeral Service will be held Saturday, August 1, 2009, at 11:30 AM in the Pennridge Community Senior Center, 146 East Main Street (Routes 113 and 152), Silverdale, PA 18962. Family and friends may call at the Senior Center on Saturday morning, from 10:00 AM until time of service.
Interment will be in St. Andrew’s Union Cemetery, Perkasie.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pennridge Community Senior Center, 146 East Main Street, Perkasie, PA 18944.
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Air Medal
Distinguished Flying Crosses
European-African- Middle Eastern Service Medal
Fire Department Seal
Good Conduct Medal
United States Army Air Corps
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