In memoriam: Gordon Keesee, Jr.

A 50-year employee of the VCU School of Education, Keesee developed the Department of Counselor Education after the school was formed in 1964.

Portrait of Curtis Gordon Keesee Jr. and his wife, Gloria.
Gordon Keesee and his wife, Gloria.

Gordon Keesee, Jr., Ph.D., a former faculty member and director within the VCU School of Education, died on January 16, 2022, at the age of 93.

Keesee joined the faculty at Richmond Professional Institute (RPI) in 1957 and held the position as the first director of admissions. After the School of Education was formed in 1964, he developed the Department of Counselor Education, before Counseling and Special Education were merged into one department. When RPI joined the Medical College of Virginia in 1968 to form Virginia Commonwealth University, Keesee's work at VCU expanded as the coordinator of student teaching and teacher certification, followed by professor of education and director of the Office of Student Services.

He served as an adjunct professor in the school until 2008, making him an employee of the School of Education for over 50 years!

Keesee remained dedicated to VCU for 12 years after his retirement. As an emeritus faculty member, he continued to teach a popular workshop for guidance counselors. Prior to the pandemic, he visited Oliver Hall once or twice a month to check his mail, and continued to use his office in Grace E. Harris Hall.

Keesee earned a bachelor’s degree in history from The American University and a second bachelor’s degree in sacred theology from Wesley Theological Seminary. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Virginia.

Gifts in memory may be given to St. Mary's Woods, 1257 Marywood Lane, Richmond, Va. 23229, or Friends of VCU Library, P.O. Box 843042, Richmond, Va. 23284-3042.