The Aberdeen American News is reporting that Russ Keen died in a traffic accident tonight. Keen was a fine writer and a fine fellow and I am both shocked and sorry. I remember him reporting on school events when I was in elementary school. He had a way of staying in the background, so at times, students barely noticed he was there. But he captured the events he covered perfectly.
He could make even the most insignificant events seem important. When I was in fourth or fifth grade, my school pushed an anti-bullying campaign. The principal wanted kids who were interested to do an anti-bullying rap. Only two of us showed up and we were geeky as all get out. But Keen made us feel important and snapped our photos anyway. He made what could have been an embarrassing memory a happy one.
That is the sort of kindness and skill I will remember him for.
Rest in peace, Russ Keen. You will be missed.
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