David O'Keeffe

David J. O'Keeffe, Ph.D., of Baltimore, MD, formerly of Greenbelt, MD, departed this life on his 95th birthday July 5, 2025. He was born in Manhattan, NY, on July 5th, 1930 and grew up in Throggs Neck, in the Bronx, NY. A devout Catholic his entire life, David served as an altar boy in his youth, taught catechism to high-schoolers for a time, was educated in the Jesuit tradition, and attended Sunday Mass regularly over his lifetime. David was also a gifted scholar, excelling at NYC's rigorous Regis High School, and earning a B.S. in physics from St. Peter's University. He continued his scientific inquiry, moving to the Washington, DC, area to receive a Master of Science from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Doctorate from Catholic University, both in physics. For 30 years, he served as a theoretical physicist for the United States Naval Surface Warfare Center in Silver Spring, MD, from 1955 to 1985. After retiring from government work, he returned to his alma mater, St. Peter's, to teach undergraduate physics for five years, ultimately retiring altogether and decamping to Daytona Beach, FL, for a decade. David and his late wife Geraldine returned to Maryland in 2003, where they enjoyed attending Orioles games and visiting with extended family nearby.

A man of many talents, David was a serial actor, avid reader, itinerant playwright, and a competitive church choir member who endeavored to out-sing tenors from any pew in every building. We will miss his Irish eyes, his roving quest for a crack joke, and his penchant for breaking into song given any excuse.

David is pre-deceased by two loving wives, Mary McCrane and Geraldine Riggs, and survived by his six children: sons Timothy and David O'Keeffe (Mary Marmion), daughters Mary (Brian Knapp), Elizabeth (Mark Elliott), Rosellen (David Fry), and Theresa (Carey Clarke), 13 grandchildren: Bryan, Elizabeth O’Keeffe; Kathryn, Daniel, Sean, and Mara O'Keeffe; David Knapp; Michael C Wolf; Leah and Jacob Fry; and Calvin, Carter, and Mary Kathleen Clarke. He is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren: Hannah O'Keeffe; Veronica, Diana and Cora Gonzalez; Wyatt, Lennon , and Zane O'Keeffe; Henry and Lewis Fry; Charlize Salomon Sánchez, and Peter Fry Sánchez.

A wake will be held on July 21 2025, 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Demaine Funeral Home, 10565 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030. A memorial Mass will be held on July 22 2025, 11:00 am at Saint Leo the Great Catholic Church, 3700 Blenheim Blvd, Fairfax VA 22030, followed by a burial at 2:00 pm at Gate of Heaven, 13801 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20906.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Regis High School in Dave’s honor.