Nov. 4, 2003--The Rev. William F. Keegan, 89, chaplain at UD from 1968-93 and a priest for the Congregation of Holy Cross, died Monday, Oct. 6, at the Holy Cross House in South Bend, Ind., after a period of failing health.

Born Aug. 30, 1914, in Mahonoy City, Pa., he received a bachelor of arts from the University of Notre Dame and was a 1949 graduate of Our Lady of Holy Cross Seminary in Easton, Mass. He took his first profession on Aug. 16, 1950, and was ordained June 8, 1956.

His first assignment was on the teaching staff at Stonehill College in Easton from 1956-61. From 1961-62, he was the study chaplain at Fordham University in Bronx, N.Y., and from 1962-66, he returned to the teaching staff at Stonehill College, where he served as the tennis coach and director of intramural athletics.

From 1966-68, he served as chaplain of the University of Louisiana, and his longest life's works was from 1968-93, serving as chaplain at the University of Delaware, where he was a member of the Newman Club. Upon Father Keegan’s retirement in 1993, the bishop of Wilmington, Del., paid tribute to him for his 25 years of chaplain service.

From 1993 to 2003, he was a member of the Elder Status at the Holy Cross House in South Bend.

Services were held Oct. 13 at the Chapel of Mary at Stonehill College.