Dr. Daniel J. Keenan, Sr.

Dr. Daniel J. Keenan Sr., 82, of Steubenville, OH, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Trinity West Medical Center. He was born December 9, 1940, in Spangler, PA, as the eldest of two sons to the late Charles Hugh Keenan and Bernice (Sullivan) Keenan. Upon graduation from John Carroll High School in Carrolltown, PA, Dan attended Lock Haven University, where he met the love of his life, Frances Dianne (Rothrauff) Keenan. Dan and Dianne were married on December 28, 1963, and were blessed to have three sons and nine grandchildren. 

While at Lock Haven, Dan was a three-year starter playing both ways on the Bald Eagle football team and captain his senior year. After graduating in 1963, he began his career as a lifelong educator. He started teaching and coaching in Windber, PA and served as an administrator in PA after earning a master’s degree from West Virginia University in 1967.

Dan found his roots in 1968 when he moved to Steubenville to take on the principal position at Grant Jr. High. Over the next 25 years, Dan committed his heart and soul to serving the Steubenville City Schools as an administrator, culminating in 14 years as superintendent of the district. As superintendent, he helped the school system earn state-wide recognition for academic success. He heavily emphasized developing well-rounded students who excelled at everything from the visual and performing arts to athletics. He helped pass bond issues and led building projects to improve facilities for students and staff. 

Dan received his doctoral degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1984. He was an innovative and visionary leader who was credited with starting and developing the gifted and honors program for students in the district, creating a preschool program in the schools, growing the district’s Scholarship Foundation and boldly reorganizing the district, including merging Grant and Harding Junior High Schools into one middle school. Dr. Keenan started the Pathfinder Awards program that honored the community’s African-American leaders who served as models to blaze the path for others.

Upon retiring from the Steubenville schools, Dan extended his lifelong dedication to educating others for the next 12 years by significantly growing the Graduate Education Department at Franciscan University as their Director. The University recognized him for this work with their Founders’ Award in 2009.  During that time, he shared his expertise with and helped develop many local and regional principals and superintendents.

Dan always worked to be a leader who strived for excellence, which resulted in him earning numerous other awards and recognitions. As a student-athlete and team member, he was inducted into the Lock Haven Football Hall of Fame. Professionally he was recognized as a top 100 Educator in North America by Executive Educator, received the BASA Exemplary Leadership Award, and in 2015, the Steubenville City Schools honored him by dedicating the Dr. Daniel J. Keenan Conference Center at Steubenville High School in his name.  

Dan was passionate about community service, having served many years on boards and in leadership positions for the Salvation Army,  the Steubenville/Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, and The United Way. He was a member of the Rotary Club for over 40 years and, after serving as President, was honored as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

Surviving are his wife, Dianne; three sons, Charlie Keenan and his wife Jane-Ann, Danny Keenan (Jr.) and his wife Heather, and Kelly Keenan and his wife Samantha; one brother Jimmie Keenan and his wife Julie; and nine grandchildren, Tressa Casey, Megan Keenan, Charlie Keenan, Bridget Keenan, Danny Keenan (III), Mackey Keenan, Kelly Keenan Jr, Kyle Keenan, and Koby Keenan. 

Friends may call at Dunlope- Shorac Funeral Home, 215 Fernwood Rd., Wintersville, OH on Monday from 4-7p.m.  Funeral Mass will held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at St. Peters Catholic Church, 10a.m. with Rev. Timothy Huffman as celebrant.  Burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery.  The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, those wishing to support his memory consider contributing to the Keenan Family Scholarship Fund at Steubenville High School, 420 N. 4th Street, Steubenville, OH 43952

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