BIAPA Mourns the Passing of Dr. Dan Keating

The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania mourns the passing of Dr. Daniel Keating on on September 21, 2019.  Dr. Keating served on the BIAPA Board of Directors for many years and as President from 2015 to June of 2019.   The Association honored him in 2014 with the Pioneer in Brain Injury Award, which is presented to an individual whose initiative, expertise, and creativity have led to the development of services and supports in the field of brain injury rehabilitation.  Below is a portion of the citation that was read at the award ceremony:

In the early 1980’s, Dan was hired to run one of the first established brain injury post-acute rehabilitation programs in the country.  Now known as Beechwood NeuroRehab, “Dr. Dan” spearheaded the formation and guidelines of the program.  At that time brain injury rehab was in its infancy and there was not much known of the proper way to handle this very distinct population.  Dan was a believer that this stage of rehabilitation in a specialized setting was vital to the success of a person who acquired a brain injury.  Dan then went on to work with the renowned rehabilitation team at Moss Rehabilitation Hospital, now known as the Drucker Center. After many years at Moss, Dan entered a new venture to establish the first post-acute program in Kennebunk, Maine. Once that was established and a success, he returned to Pennsylvania and his home to take on a leadership role at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital. All the while throughout his life, in addition to his exemplary professional accomplishments, he has maintained a steady and strong voice in the advocacy effort for the brain injury population leading the way at both the national and state level in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maine.  

Read more about Dan Keating’s extraordinary life in his obituary:

Born in East Orange New Jersey, Daniel Joseph Keating was the son of the late Daniel Joseph Keating II and Gertrude Barnett Keating. Dan was a member of The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania, and member of Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey. Daniel J. Keating, Ph.D., had more than 30 years of professional experience in working with people with disabilities. Prior to joining ABCD as Executive Director, Dr. Keating was employed at Bancroft where he held several positions over a twelve-year span. Most recently, he was responsible for Family Services and Government Relations. He coordinated the activities of the Family Council and program advisory committees and served as Family Advocate. He represented Bancroft on the Board of the Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities (ABCD) and the Legislation and Policy Committee of the New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP). Previously at Bancroft, Dr. Keating was responsible for the operations of the residential and day programs supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries. Dr. Keating represented ABCD on the Contracted Services Committee, a group of provider representatives that met regularly with officials of the Division of Developmental Disabilities from 2008 to 2011, and served as co-chair from 2010 to 2011.

Dr. Keating received his Doctorate Degree from Temple University. He was an adjunct faculty member of the Psychology Department at Drexel University and the Human Services Department at Camden County College. Earlier in his career, Dr. Keating helped launch one of the first residential programs and one of the first day programs for people with brain injuries and aided in the development of comprehensive acute and post-acute rehabilitation programs for people with brain injuries.He was a founding member and past president of the Academy for the Certification of Brain Injury Specialists and was a certified brain-injury specialist trainer. He served on the Board of the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania and served as co-chair of the Professional Advisory Board of the Brain Injury Association of Delaware. Previously, he served on the board of directors of the National Head Injury Foundation; as chairman of its professional education and training committee; and on the board of trustees of the Pennsylvania and Maine Brain Injury Associations. Most recently, Dr. Keating had been appointed to the NJ Commission on Brain Injury Research by Governor Christie.

Dan was a member of Saints Philip & James Parish for 25 years where he served as a lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. He was a member of the Saint Elizabeth’s Council Knights of Columbus #13141, where he was a past grand knight. He also was a member of the Chester County Assembly #1873 Council Knights of Columbus. He was an Avid Philadelphia Sports fan and has been a season ticket holder for Temple University Football team and an Owl Club member for many years. Dan was also a U.S. ARMY Veteran who proudly served his country from 1972 to 1977.

In addition to Kathy, his wife of 47 years, Dan is survived by his daughter Karen Johnson (Michael) and son Philip (Suzanne). He was the loving Pop-Pop of Bria Martinez, Daniel Keating IV, Aryana Johnson, Bryson Johnson, Simone Smith, Michael Robinson, and Olyvia Johnson,  brothers and sisters: Pat Keating (the late Denise), Teresa Karney (Ron), the Late Michael Keating (Tina), Sheila Tartamosa (Robert), Ellen Forsyth (John), Mark Keating (Valerie), John Keating (Maria), George Keating (Sherri), Maureen Howe (Ron), Brother-in-law Don Spino (Janice). He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. Dan will be missed by all.

Interment with military honors was held privately at Ft. Indiantown Gap Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dan’s memory can be made to Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania, https://biapa.org/donate/.

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