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Clifford Keene, former
Kaiser chief, dies at 89OBITUARIES
By Leila Fujimori
Star-BulletinDr. Clifford H. Keene helped shape policies that made Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program the largest nonprofit health care provider in the United States in the '60s and '70s. He oversaw Kaiser's expansion from Los Angeles and San Diego to Portland and Honolulu.
Keene, retired president and chief executive emeritus of Kaiser, died Jan. 25, three days short of his 90th birthday, at the Hospice of the Central Coast Counties in Monterey, Calif.
In 1954, Keene was invited by Henry Kaiser to join a then-struggling Kaiser Health care system. He became regional manager of Kaiser in Northern California.
At the age of 65, he retired from active administration. And in 1980, at age 70, he retired from the board of directors.
The New York-born Keene served in the U.S. Army as a surgeon and medical administrator for the 24th Corps in the Pacific.
Keene is survived by his wife, Mary, sister Harriet Krueger, daughters, Patricia Ann Kneedler, Martha Jane Sproule and Diane Eve Simonds.
Keene will be buried in Monterey at a private graveside service. A public memorial will be held in February at a date to be announced.
Contributions Keene's name may be made to the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, P.O. Box HH, Monterey, CA 93942, or charity.
