Keener, Charles Richard

Charles Richard (Dick) Keener, died Sunday, December 5, 2010 at his home after a year-long battle with lung cancer. Dick was born Sept. 8, 1939, in Durant, OK to Otis and Idell Keener. He grew up in Durant and graduated from Durant High School in 1957. A 1961 graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Dick went on to receive his MBA from the University of Chicago Executive Program in 1976. In 1982, he graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Advanced Management Program. Dick began his career with Kraft Foods, Inc. in Garland, Texas, in 1961 as an accountant. After attending an IBM programmer‘s school, he became the first programmer in Kraft‘s southern division in 1963. In 1965, he was awarded the J.L. Kraft Jade Ring merit award for his role in the installation of Kraft‘s first mainframe computer. After transferring to Chicago in 1967, Dick served as Kraft‘s Chief Information Officer (CIO) from 1976-1988 with worldwide responsibility for all computer and telecommunications. He took early retirement from Kraft and joined Chiquita Brands International, Inc. as CIO, where he led the automation of various operations including the shipping fleet, agriculture operations in Central and South America and worldwide telecommunications. Throughout his career and in retirement, Dick has played prominent roles in professional and charitable organizations. He was a charter member of Chicago Chapter of The Society for Management Information Systems. In 1979, he was awarded the Beautiful People Award from the Chicago Urban League for the establishment of a Computer Training Center and placement of underprivileged students who excelled in academic achievement. Throughout the 1970s, Dick served as president of the Grocery Manufacturers of America‘s Information Systems group and provided leadership in the development and expansion of the uniform product code (UPC) and standards with the grocery industry. Later, as a member of the Uniform Code Council Board of Governors, he helped expand the UPC to other industries. In retirement, Dick continued his interest in giving back to the community. Dick was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Pinehurst United Methodist Church at the time of its building construction and occupancy and was also a member of the finance committee and management council during that time. For many years, he worked to support the First Health Moore Regional Hospital Foundation, serving on the Board of Trustees as treasurer, member of the finance committee and chairman of its grant review committee. Additionally, he has served as a member of the Foundation‘s Pinewild Network. In addition to these charitable organizations, Dick has served as secretary and vice president of the Pinewild Men‘s Golf Association. As a member of the Pinehurst Forum Board of Directors, a social organization dating back to 1939, he served as vice president and program chairman, and then as president. Dick is survived by his wife of 51 years, Linda; son Kevin of Atlanta, Georgia; daughter Kerri Schiavone and her husband Pete of St. Louis, Mo.; granddaughter Kristyn Schiavone of Chicago, Ill., and grandson David Schiavone of St. Louis, Mo.; sister JoAnn Howard of Durant, Okla.; and nephew Bruce Howard and niece Kathryn Hays of Oklahoma. A memorial service will be held at Pinehurst United Methodist Church on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 11 a.m. A reception will follow the service at Pinewild Country Club. Family requests donations to First Health Hospice and Palliative Care, 150 Applecross Rd., Pinehurst, NC 28374.