Brian Keeling of High River passed away at the age of 93. A familiar face at the Museum of the Highwood, he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Keeling began volunteering at the museum in 2011 and dedicated three mornings each week to his work. Over the years, he meticulously catalogued more than 29,000 items, helping preserve local history after significant losses caused by fire and flood.
Irene Kerr, a close friend and the museum’s director and curator for 17 years, recalled their time together with great affection.
“We went through a lot at the museum,” she said. “We had a fire in 2010 and a flood in 2013.”
“Brian was a fixture at the museum,” Kerr noted, emphasizing how invaluable his commitment was, especially when many artifacts and photographs had not been backed up.
Keeling’s efforts ensured that the museum’s collection remained preserved and accessible for future generations, leaving a lasting mark on the community he loved.
Author’s summary: A devoted volunteer, Brian Keeling spent years preserving Highwood’s history, becoming an essential part of the museum and the community alike.