10/03/2026
Pembroke, MA, lost another good one this summer with the passing of Richard B. Keen.
Dick was a past President of the Pembroke Historical Society and was one of the last living members of the group of nine who organized the first Pembroke Arts Festival in 1968. He passed away just before his 94th birthday and the 59th annual Pembroke Arts Festival.
Dick first arrived in Pembroke 84 years ago and was a member of the Pembroke High School Class of 1950. Throughout his life, he contributed a great deal to the town he loved and was the go-to town electrician of his day.
The Pembroke Historical Society is incredibly grateful to Dick’s daughter, Sally Keen Davis, and his sister-in-law, June Gillette, who thoughtfully requested that donations in his memory be made to the Pembroke Historical Society in lieu of flowers.
We have decided to use these generous donations to install a railing at the front entrance of our Museum, providing safer access for visitors so that everyone can experience and explore Pembroke’s rich 300+ year history.
In honor of Dick and his lasting contributions to our community, we plan to name this important addition The Richard B. Keen Stairway to History.
We are deeply grateful to Sally and June for this meaningful gift to the Historical Society and to the people of Pembroke. It is a wonderful way to honor Dick’s legacy and his lifelong connection to our town.
Below is Richard Keen’s obituary.
RICHARD B KEEN OBITUARY
Richard B. Keen, 93, of Sagamore Beach, MA died peacefully on July 23, 2026.
Born on August 10, 1932, Dick was the only child of Frank and Mildred (Cole) Keen. He grew up in Norwood, MA and moved to Pembroke, MA in 1942. He graduated from Pembroke High School in 1950 and Franklin Tech in Boston in 1953.
Dick had a lifelong interest in aviation and built remote control planes. As a young teenager during World War II, he served as a plane spotter at a building behind Pembroke Town Hall. He studied plane profiles using Navy “Weftup” and stated no German planes were spotted on his watch!
Dick was married to his high school sweetheart, Barbara Gillette, until she died in 1980. Together, they raised four children. Then he married Marcia Williams and they spent 44 years full of fun and adventures. They enjoyed fishing, boating, horseback riding, and skiing. Dick was always eager to learn or try something new.
He had a long career as an electrician, founding Keen Electrical Service in the 1960s. Dick served his community as a volunteer fireman, an original member of the Pembroke Arts Festival, and a member of the Conservation Commission. He retired in 2007 and moved to Sagamore Beach.
Dick was predeceased by his first wife Barbara , his son Thomas Keen, and his granddaughter Kelly Davis. He was survived by his loving wife Marcia of Sagamore Beach, who passed away on September 14th, daughter Nancy McFarland of Bath, ME, daughter Sally Davis (Scott) of West Bath, ME, son Phillp Keen of Harrisonville, MO and step-son Michael Williams (Keiko) of Carver, MA. He also had ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
A joint memorial service will be held for Dick and Marcia at Cartmell-Davis Funeral Home, 619 State Rd, Manomet, on October 17th. A visiting hour begins at 1 PM followed by a service at 2 PM. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Pembroke Historical Society, PO Box 122, Pembroke, MA 02359. (Please add Richard Keen to the memo line on checks.) The funds will be used to install hand railings at the museum and will be dedicated as the Richard B. Keen Stairway to History!
