Arthur Thomas Keefe, III

Arthur Thomas Keefe, III. - “Art” - age 69, passed away July 6, 2022 in Rockville, MD., from complications of a long illness with Multiple Sclerosis.  Art was born on March 1, 1953, to Dr. Arthur Thomas Keefe, Jr. and Lorraine Bernard Keefe (Deceased) and was raised in Chestertown, MD.  Since 1981, he lived in Potomac, MD with his wife of 40 years, “Lori”. 

Art is survived by Lori; his sons: Ryan Arthur Keefe (Flora) of Cross Lanes, WV and Garrett Thomas Keefe (Lorin) of Arlington, VA; his sister: Dr. Bernadette Keefe of Chapel Hill, NC; brother: Mr. Timothy Keefe (Beth) of Chestertown, Maryland; sister: Lisa Hull (Henry Lane) of Wicomico Church, VA; nieces and nephews: Katelyn and Barron Collier, Henry and Morgan Hull, Moira Hull, Christopher and Sarah Catherine Jacques; and by cousins Keefe, Bernard, and Ewing Families.

Art attended Georgetown Prep School (North Bethesda, MD) , Class of ’71’, and served as GP Director of Development from 1980-1985.  He attended Yale University (New Haven, CT), Class of ‘75’. He sailed for Yale as a member of the Yale Corinthian Yacht Club and was inducted into the “Sailing Hall of Fame” as a Collegiate Sailor.  Art was a member of the Yale Singing Group: “SOBs: - Sons of Orpheus & Bachus” and a member of Yale’s “Saint Elmos” Society.  He also served as a Yale University Class Agent for over 25 years.

Art started his remarkable fund-raising career as a Senior Class Volunteer while attending Yale University. After Graduation, he joined their staff as Associate Director for Graduate and Professional Schools in the renowned “Campaign for Yale”. 

In 1980, Art became the first Layman to be selected as “Development Officer” at Georgetown Prep, where he served for 5 years, establishing a full-service development office with a planned giving emphasis focused on endowment and capital needs.  The back to back responsibilities are most notable, as Art became the first Alumnus to serve both alma maters in a development capacity. In 1988 Art earned his CFRE certification and in 1989, the Direct Marketing Association of Washington awarded him their competitive “Gold Maxi Award”.

Entering his second decade as a career fundraising professional, Art directed the philanthropic endeavors at Greater Southeast Community Hospital (Washington DC.) and Franklin Square Hospital (Baltimore, Maryland).  He concluded this notable 10 year period with brief stints at the USO and National Foundation for Cancer Research.  His career became nationwide as Vice President for Resource Development at the Humane Society of the United States from 1990-1995.

A multi-dimensional fundraiser, Art promoted the need for professional growth and educational opportunities throughout his career. He served as Vice President, President and Board Member of the Planned Giving Study Group of Washington (now the National Capital Gift Planning Council) for over two decades. 

In 1995 Art became Vice President of Development for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Air Safety Foundation (Frederick, Maryland), through early retirement in 2001 due to illness. While at AOPA he was instrumental in establishing a three million dollar endowment that created funds for safety seminars, research development, production of training videos and dissemination of aviation safety information to AOPA members, the public and government agencies.  In addition to fundraising, he was known primarily in the flying community as the person who introduced gift of aircraft and online auction as effective means for furthering the mission of the association.

Art was a charter board member and secretary of the National Catholic Community Foundation, and member of the NSFRE (National Society for Fundraising Executives). He was honored with the National Capitol Gift Planning Council (NCGPC) “President’s Award” in 2000.  In May 2005, Art was presented with a Distinguished Service Award by the National Capital Gift Planning Council.

In Art’s earlier active years, he was a tennis enthusiast, but most notably, a collegiate all-American Sailor! After college, he continued to participate in many Area Sailing/ Racing Championship Regatta Events over the Northeast corridor until his illness.

In his retirement years, Art enjoyed playing duplicate bridge, watching the Washington Nationals Baseball, Golf, Football, and his favorite TV game show, “Jeopardy” --and he always had the answer before the Contestants could ring in!  When Family and Friends came to visit, Art always enjoyed the banter on World News, updating all on current events and never hesitated to provide his own colorful commentary!!  And, of course, any mention of his old Sailing Days, and “who” was now sailing in what race, immediately captivated him!  He also had a quiet love for “Pembroke Welsh Corgis,” and didn’t hesitate to ask family & friends to see the latest photos or inquire as to when his new “Corgis Calendar” was arriving!

Art had a constant, unwavering love for his Family and Friends!  In most recent years, upon each visit to his room “the Man Cave”, although in declining health, whenever asked about how he was doing, the answer was always, “I’m fine… but please tell me how You are doing and what’s new!!” 

Visitation will begin at 10am on Tuesday, July 12 at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1513 Dunster Rd, Rockville, Md 20854; where the Funeral Mass will begin at 10:15am. Interment at 2:30pm at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, Md.

Any flowers should be delivered directly to St. Raphael's Catholic Church on the day of the service.

But, in lieu of flowers, donations in Art's name can be made to Georgetown Preparatory School, 10900 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, Md 20852. Please note on check: "Art Keefe (In Memory), class '71."

Dearest Arthur, Dad… Wishing you smooth sailing in the heavens!