I had the pleasure of working alongside David at NYU Langone as a fellow chaplain. I cover pediatrics and David was always open to referrals and providing support for the families we cared for. David would often work holidays, late nights, or take unexpected calls at night for patients in need. It never surprised me to be leaving late in the day and run across him on my way out the door!

I knew David best from his work as a chaplain and spiritual caregiver. I recall the excitement he had sharing me the Passover Haggadahs he had found that were written for children and adolescents! I remember how important it was for him to be BOTH a Rabbi for our Jewish patients AND a chaplain to ALL people experiencing suffering, grief, or despair at the hospital.

From that relationship and our shared work at times in the NICU, I came to learn about his own children. He spoke with love and pride of them, their travel to Israel, raising twins, and his own experiences as a parent in a hospital setting. My heart breaks for his family. 

I'm still in disbelief he is gone... I catch myself expecting to see him round a corner or show up at our staff huddles. There is an absence, an emptiness here, without our Rabbi. I wish I could have been able to tell him goodbye and how much he'd be missed. 

Thank you, David, for all you gave of yourself, for your humor, and for your heart of compassion. 

With a heart of sadness,
Rev. Matthew Dimick

So sorry to hear the news. I grew up with David in Belle Harbor but lost touch many many years ago when I moved to Israel. I have incredible memories of David from my childhood and want to send my condolences to his family and siblings. 

I was a high school classmate of David and was later his neighbor in Kew Garden Hills after we both got married.  We were guests at each other’s home numerous times for a Shabbos meal and remember David and Andrea’s warmth and special attention to Hachnasas Orchim.
When I sat Shiva last year for my father, David called (He couldn’t visit because of COVID) and I remember how he genuinely cared about my situation, not just calling to be “ Yotzeh”.
Wishing much Nechama for Andrea and his children.

(Posting on behalf of a patient who was visited by Rabbi Keehn as recently as last week.)

It is absolutely heartbreaking to hear about the passing of  Rabbi Keehn. In the few times I have met him he made sure to make me feel as comfortable and as supported as he could and we had great conversations with him. The world truly lost a great, compassionate and kind person and knowledgeable Rabbi. 

In total shock and very sad about this horrible news. David was a tsadik and a warm-hearted man. I had the privilege of growing up with him in Belle Harbor, NY, and an even greater privilege of calling him neighbor once again when we lived in KGH before we moved to Israel.  What a mighty and incredible man he was and always will be.  GD bless.

A stunning loss.
On numerous occasions when both of my in-laws were at Booth Hospital, Rabbi Keehn  went far beyond the call of duty to make sure that they, and our family members had everything they needed to make the hospital stay less unpleasant. He will be sorely missed.


David and I learned together during his tenure at Shaalvim. Then we were roommates in YU for 2 years. 

I never ever saw David feel sorry for himself. It was just...move forward, move on. That was an enormous lesson he taught me.

And it was clear from early on that his whole being was about thinking about the other. When I went over to him at his chosson's tisch to hug him and wish him mazel tov, HE started crying and thanking ME for having taken the time to fly in for his wedding from my home in Michigan. That was HIS day but he couldn't help be appreciative of others.

David will always be loved and greatly missed.

יהי זכרו ברוך

Rabbi Keehn and I spoke nearly everyday at work since Covid began as we navigated the many changes and difficult times faced by our patients, families, and staff. He was a fountain of giving that never ran dry and I am deeply grateful for his friendship. 

I tried to write one memory and erased every single one, because there are just too many to share.  

David, you are cherished and will be deeply missed. You and your beloved family are in my prayers.

With deep sympathy,
Liz Kitamura
Chaplain at NYULH

I knew David from Morasha Kollel. He was indeed an inspiration. Decades later, when my father was in the Atria and had to go to the hospital on various occasions, David was always there to help out with whatever we needed. David, you were the best. I thank you again.

Some years ago, on the seventh day of Pesach, my wife needed to be rushed to NYHQ for a necessary outpatient procedure.  Finding Rabbi Keehn there, on a chag, and getting his help was so reassuring.  He made sure we'd have a cab home so my wife could recover in her own bed.  A small thing that took away so much worry.

But beyond that, he was such a special man, such an inspiration, overcoming so much and serving clal yisroel at great sacrifice to himself.  His life and his career was such a kiddush Hashem.  May his loved ones know no more sorrow.

Ha Makom yinachem. 
Yehi Zichro Baruch.

David was a  good colleague and a dedicated chaplain.
May David's memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.

Rabbi Kara Tav
Manager, Palliative Care Chaplain 
NYU Langone, Brooklyn

Such a  painful and terrible loss to the family and our community.
Unable to physically be at the levayah, but will live stream it, and be there during Shiva.
I've known the family for decades,  going back to camp days with his Mom and Uncle.
And I've known David since he joined the Queens community.  He was a remarkable Rabbi, Chaplain, husband, father, son, brother and Mensch. He overcame obstacles that would have defeated others.  He always moved forward doing Hashem's plan for him - and always with a smile.
He will be missed by all who knew him.
May he be a melitz yosher for his family, and Yehi Zichro Boruch.






Rabbi Keehn was always available and helpful whenever we had a family member at the hospital, making sure that our loved ones had everything they needed for Shabbos and Yom Tov and he attended to all their spiritual needs.  For years, I would always see him walking over there on Shabbos. He was a very special and dedicated person who went above and beyond for patients and their families. 

I learned earlier today with shock and sadness of the untimely death of my chaplain colleague for many years, Rabbi David Keehn z'l.  For decades, Rav Keehn served countless hospital patients and the needs of the Jewish community. Given his blindness, we all marveled at his ability to perform his duties as if sighted. Rav David z'l was devoted to Orthodox Judaism and to Torah law. He facilitated observance of mitzvot by providing  sick and disabled Jewish patients with tashmishei kedusha, sacred ritual objects. He brought Judaism to the bedside.
תורה, תורה חגרי שק והתפלשי בעפר. Rabbi Lowell Kronick

I so appreciate the love and kindness freely given to me.

David was one of the kindest, warmest, most loving people I have ever known.  He had a great sense of humor and always a smile.

I will miss him.

OBITUARY

Rabbi David Keehn a"h

21 June, 1967 – 25 October, 2021

Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapels

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