Charles Wayne McKeehan, PhD

Charles Wayne McKeehan PhD, Greenwood, IN, passed away on February 23, 2023. He was born November 16, 1929, to the late Frank and Edna (Arnold) McKeehan in Greencastle, IN. He is survived by his wife, Helen Fletcher McKeehan of 69 years, Brothers; Eugene, Robert D. (Clara), and Sister Martha Haislip, Children Karen (James) Nicks of Cleveland, OH, Stuart (Melissa) McKeehan of Greenwood, IN, Mark (Christine) McKeehan of Dallas, TX, Brian (Cathy) McKeehan of Land O’ Lakes, FL, 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

He graduated from Greencastle High School in 1947, received his BS in Pharmacy from Purdue in 1951 and became a registered pharmacist that summer. He received his MS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1953 and his PhD in 1957, both from Purdue. He was a member of Kappa Psi and Rho Chi Pharmaceutical Honor Organizations; Phi Lambda Upsilon, an honorary Chemical Society; The Society of Sigma XI, devoted to the Promotion of Research in Science; American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists; and United Stated Pharmacopeia Revision Subcommittee. He is listed in Who’s Who in the Midwest and American Men and Women in Science.

He is also a member of the Purdue President’s Council. Soon after marrying Helen on June 1, 1953, he was drafted into the Army and served most of his tour at Ft. Knox, KY in the Army Medical Research Laboratory. While there, he was author or co-author of several scientific technical reports and publications. Upon completing his service, he returned to Purdue to finish his PhD. In January 1957, he joined the Pharmaceutical Research Department of Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis and spent the next few years on various assignments involving potential antibiotic products. Following a management training program, he became part of a department charged with developing active compounds for clinical trial and marketing. The remainder of his 35 years were spent managing various product development departments.

After retiring in December 1991, he became a volunteer management consultant with the Executive Service Corps, a group of retired executives who helps small companies and non-profit agencies with management issues. He and Helen were longtime members of Southport Christian Church (now Tapestry Church) where they were always actively volunteering. Wayne was on the Board of Directors over 40 years, usually on the Finance Committee. He thoroughly enjoyed golf, especially after retirement, and played in many states as well as the UK.

A visitation will be held on Saturday March 4, 2023 at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Home, Greenwood, IN from 10a – 11a. A celebration of life will follow the visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his memory may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Pt. Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or a Charity of your choice. You are invited to read Charles’ obituary at www.stpierrefamilyfuneral.com, where you may sign the guest book and leave a personal message for the family.

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