Richard Keesey

Richard E. Keesey II

October 14, 1934 - July 1, 2025

            Richard (Dick) Keesey passed away peacefully at his home in Kennett Square, PA, on July 1st, at the age of 90.

            Dick spent his early years in central Pennsylvania and Baltimore, MD.  He was a life-long scholar who completed high school at Baltimore City College, his undergraduate degree at Dartmouth College, his doctoral degree at Brown University, and his post-doctoral work at University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA).  He then joined the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison, where he served on the faculty for 37 years and led ground-breaking research primarily focused on the physiological and behavioral mechanisms of body weight regulation and energy expenditure, particularly in the context of hypothalamic functions within the brain.  In retirement, he enjoyed time spent at his homes on the lakes in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and on the bay in Florida’s Gulf Coast.

            Dick was an avid fisherman and motorboat captain, downhill and cross country skier, tennis player, and trombonist.  He loved classical music and operas, UW men’s basketball and Grand Slam tennis.  He was passionate about pursuing science and reason, supporting access to education and the arts, and preserving and appreciating the natural environment.  His loved ones will fondly remember his wry sense of humor, his attention to grammar, his status as family “Grillmaster,” and his joy in recounting his many world travels and adventures.  He valued and modeled loyalty, generosity and integrity.  Dick was a true old-fashioned gentleman, living a humble life despite his many accomplishments, and he will be greatly missed.

            Dick is survived by his wife Laurie Tellier, son Ian W. Keesey (wife Jimena and daughter Valentina), and stepdaughter Anna Lifson (fiancé Jay), as well as his sister-in-law Sherry Keesey and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents Josephine and Richard Keesey and his brothers Chris and Dorsey Keesey.

            A small private celebration will be held by the family later this summer.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dick’s honor can be made to Baltimore City College , the Venice Concert Band (535 US Hwy 41 Bypass N, Box 123, Venice, FL, 34285), or the Paxtonville Cemetery Association (P.O. Box 353, Paxtonville, PA, 17861).

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