Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Darcy Keen, CD (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Darcy Keen, CD (Ret'd) in Chilliwack on 18 June 2014.

Ralph was born in 1931 in Jasper, BC. After completing high school he attended Royal Roads and Royal Military College. Upon graduating in 1953 he was commissioned in the Royal Canadian Engineers and joined 59^th Independent Field Squadron, RCE in Korea. He served with the unit in Korea during last deployment of the Korean War.

Upon returning from Korea, Ralph completed his BASc (Civil) degree at UBC in 1955. His following 24 years were a series of challenging postings across Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Some highlights were: Senior Works Officer (1959-62) responsible for infrastructure construction and maintenance of the Canadian Army infrastructure around Soest, in West Germany; as a Senior Operations Officer (1968-69) for the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organization (Palestine) responsible for tasking and supporting the UN Military Observers; as Base Construction Engineering Officer CFB Montreal (1969-72); and as Team Leader of a Forward Planning Group (1972-75) when seconded to the Canadian International Development Agency and tasked to work within the Building Department of the Kenyan Ministry of Works.

Ralph retired in 1980 and moved to Fort Nelson, BC where he became General Manager of a motor hotel, shopping plaza, mobile-home park and rental apartment block. From 1982-86 he was the City Engineer of Terrace, BC. In 1986 Ralph moved to Chilliwack and held the position of Deputy Manager Planning & Development for the District of Chilliwack from 1987 util he retired in 1996.

In Ralph's memory, please consider a donation to Parkinson Society Canada. A Celebration of Life for Ralph Keen will be held on 18 July  2:00-4:00 pm, followed by a Social Hour: 4:00-5:00 pm). Location: Johnny Mac’s Lounge at RCMP Pacific Region Training Centre, 1100 - 45337 Calais Crescent, Chilliwack, BC. ^{khApr2016}