James Peter Keating

James Peter Keating, an influential and beloved physician and teacher who spent 40 extraordinary years as a clinician and professor of pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University Medical School, died December 25, 2014 in Cary, North Carolina. A brilliant doctor as well as a demanding and thoughtful teacher, Dr. Keating had a profound influence on hundreds of medical students, patients, and their families. In 1968, he became the Chief Resident at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and in 1969 became the Director of the Pediatric Residency program, a position he held until 2002. He was one of the longest-serving, most successful residency directors in the history of pediatrics, a position which demanded enormous resilience and commitment to the SLCH community. His devotion to teaching was matched by his dedication to meeting the needs of patients. He established the pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition division in 1971 and served as division chief until 1992. He also organized the first pediatric intensive care unit west of the Mississippi and was director from 1980 to 1992. Dr. Keating pioneered the concept of pediatric diagnostic medicine, founding the division in 1992 and serving as its director until his retirement. The Diagnostic Center was the perfect fit for his tremendous medical knowledge – he loved to solve mysteries and was dogged in his pursuit of answers that would improve the health of his patients.

His former residents are proof of the profound influence Dr. Keating has had on pediatrics. Many have gone on to senior leadership positions at major academic medical centers or have established successful private practices in communities throughout the country. In 1998, to honor their mentor, residents established and funded the James P. Keating, MD, Outstanding Resident Award, an honor that recognizes pediatric residency physicians who embody the attributes for which Dr. Keating is known—excellence in patient care, teaching and community spirit.

Dr. Keating was born January 19, 1938 in Braddock, a mill town on the banks of the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh, PA to James Francis Keating, an open hearth steel worker and Alice Reardon Keating, an English teacher. His father was killed in a mill accident when Dr. Keating was 11 years old, leaving his mother to raise four children on her own. He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School and was granted an academic scholarship to Harvard College, where he played football and was a starter at left guard and a middle linebacker. After earning his undergraduate degree, he was accepted to Harvard Medical School, and following his medical school graduation, he found work at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Keating volunteered during the Vietnam War as a Navy Lieutenant serving in the Quang Tri civilian hospital from 1966 to 1967, and received the Navy Commendation for Valor among other awards and commendations.

His vast curiosity about the world was reflected in his love of travel both domestic and international, American and Civil War History, ornithology, dendrology, and literary fiction. He completed the New York Times crossword puzzle every day using a fountain pen. As high-minded and high-achieving as he was, he had a common touch, was generous, honorable and compassionate, told hilarious tales, loved to laugh, preferred to be seen in a baseball hat, and carried a torch for Carolina style barbeque on a bun with slaw.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Susan, daughter Amy Keating Foote (Chris), son Thomas Keating, sister Mary Sommerfeld (Wayne), brother Larry Keating (Peggy), brother Jerry Keating (Mary), and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Memorial service arrangements are incomplete at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed attn: James P. Keating Memorial, Children’s Hospital of St. Louis, 1 Children’s Place, St. Louis, MO, 314-286-0988.