Dr. Harris J. Keene

Doctor Harris Jordan Keene, Captain, United States Navy (Retired), passed away peacefully on August 20, 2026, at the age of 95. Born on April 13, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York, Harris lived a full and remarkable life defined by service to his country, dedication to science, deep love for his family, and an insatiable curiosity about the world.

Harris met the love of his life, Susan Belsky, in Baltimore, Maryland, at an ice cream shop, while he was a student in a religious studies course taught by her father. They married and raised their three sons together, enriching their family life with international travel and a shared appreciation for the great outdoors, until Susan's untimely passing over 30 years ago. Harris never remarried.

A Career of Service

Harris earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1955 from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland, where he was awarded the National Alumni Association Gold Medal for original research as a senior dental student — an early sign of the scientist he would become.

Harris proudly served in the United States Navy for approximately 21 years, retiring with the rank of Captain. As a Navy dentist, he practiced aboard the USS Forrestal during a tour of the Mediterranean, and was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois, in Japan, and at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station on the island of Oahu, Hawaii — a chapter of his life he spoke of often and fondly, and one that left him with a lifelong love of the islands and their music. He went on to command the Naval Dental Research Institute at Great Lakes, and in 1976 was awarded the U.S. Navy Commendation Medal in recognition of his work there.

A Life in Science

Following his naval retirement, Harris continued his life's work in dental research, specializing in dental decay in cancer patients. A Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, he brought rigor and precision to every study he undertook, publishing more than 100 papers over the course of his career on the causes and prevention of dental decay, and bringing forward proposals for a dental decay vaccine to the National Institutes of Health. One of his papers, a study of dental decay in early Hawaiian children, was co-authored with his son Andrew. He went on to become a professor of Dental Oncology at the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston, where he had the unique joy of teaching his own son, Andrew, as a student, and was honored with the Dean's Teaching Award in 2000 and 2001. From 2003 to 2011, he also served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

A Life Well Traveled

Harris was an avid traveler who made it a yearly tradition to explore Europe and Asia. He shared unforgettable family trips to Cozumel, Panama, and Cancun, journeyed to Turkey with his beloved Susan, and even ventured on his own to the Galápagos Islands, forever chasing his curiosity about the world and its people.

A Gracious Host

Harris also loved entertaining, and was a delightful host to friends and family alike. He threw wonderful parties, and had a talent for making even the most casual acquaintance feel like a welcome guest at his dinner table. Blessed with the gift of gab, he made new friends wherever he went.

Family and Retirement

In his retirement years in Houston, Harris relished time with family, whether out fishing or in his own kitchen — he was a talented and enthusiastic cook, well known among family for his crab cakes and seafood bisque. A passionate gardener, he carried a piece of Hawaii with him always, growing and replanting palm trees and plumerias.

Survived By

Harris is survived by his three sons, Andrew Jeffrey Keene (wife, Maria), Gregory Allen Keene (wife, Blimi), and Walter Gordon Keene (wife, Janice), his four grandchildren, Gabrielle Suzanne Keene, Sarah Ann Keene, Ryan Harris Keene, and Marissa Shirlane Keene, his sister-in-law, Starr Belsky, and his nephew, Joel Slotnik. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Susan Belsky Keene.

Services

Harris will be laid to rest in a private family service on August 28, 2026, at El Emanuel Memorial Park. Arrangements are entrusted to Earthman Funeral Home. A memorial service celebrating his life will follow in at 11AM on October 17, 2026 at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home with full military honors provided by a United States Navy Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, his family kindly asks that you consider donating in his memory to support cancer research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center at https://mdanderson.donordrive.com/campaigns/HarrisKeene

Donations may also be made in Harris's memory to BellRinger, an annual cycling event benefiting cancer research at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, by supporting his granddaughter Gabrielle Keene's ride at https://ride.bellringer.org/rider/gabriellekeene6802