Sunday, February 4, 2024
I’ve been fortunate to could Ed Keely among my friends since he moved to Hilton Head. I was a bookseller at Barnes and Noble in 2006, and Ed was quick to become one of your regular customers. It will come as no surprise to anyone that Ed was a voracious reader. I noted his selection of reading material: economics, international affairs, the stock market, history, and bridge. At the time I was also serving as the Administrative Director to the World Affairs Council of Hilton Head and took the opportunity to tell Ed about the organization.
I recall telling him that we were working on a special event (outside the normal speaker program schedule) to bring John Taylor to Hilton Head. The Program Chair at the time, Jim Fall, was a friend of Dr. Taylor’s so Taylor was inclined to take Jim up on the invitation to present to our Council. When I told Ed Dr. Taylor was coming to HHI, his reaction…as his eyes twinkled: ”Dr. Taylor…famous for the Taylor Rule?” I knew Ed was right for WACHH. Who else knew of the Taylor Rule!
Through the persuasive powers of Marion Conlin, Ed was invited to join the Program Committee. The rest is history. With his brilliant mind, thorough research and critical thinking skills, masterful understanding of current events at the international level, his willingness to make “cold calls” to recruit a speaker, his annual attendance at the Aspen Security Forum, not to mention his rolodex, Ed was and has always been an integral member of the committee and the Council. He made many a Program Chair, Council President, and this Executive Director look good on many occasions.
I don’t know much about Ed’s private life…only that he loved to play bride and was a dedicated care giver to his wife.
I believe I speak for many who, when they learned of his death, felt the wind was taken from their sails. My condolences to his family.
Rest in Peace, Ed Keeley
Joan Apple Lemoine
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