Thomas Keast

Tom was born May 11, 1938, in Marquette to Lynn and Edna (Nault) Keast. After graduating from Bishop Baraga High School in 1956, Tom attended Northern Michigan University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1961. Tom went on to continue his education, receiving his Master’s in Social Work from Wayne State University in 1963. During his years at university, Tom spent summers working as a radio operator for the National Park Service on Mott Island, and exploring Isle Royale National Park.

In 1962, he began his long and successful career with the U.S. Public Health Service as a commissioned officer. Tom was assigned to Crow Agency, Montana where he met his future wife, Mary Louise Langevin. The two were married on June 13, 1964 and had 4 children. In July of 1965, he was transferred to St. Ignatius, Montana where he became the first non-physician unit director in the Service’s history. In 1972, the family was again transferred, this time to Lapwai, Idaho, where Tom was promoted to Captain and Health Services Director and was ranked first out of field of 24 Directors. He worked with the Nez Perce, Coeur d’ Alene, and Kootenai tribes for 9 years. In 1981 he transferred back to St. Ignatius to work with the Salish and Kootenai tribes until his retirement in 1992. During his final years with the Service, he traveled extensively to all seven Montana tribal reservations, and to Wyoming to work with the Wind River tribes. He received the Public Health Service Commendation as well as the Outstanding Service and Meritorious Service Medals for his work assisting Native American tribes.

In the 1950s Tom was part of the Bob Keast Trio playing drums-a passion that he enjoyed for life. Together, he and his brother Bob, and Bob’s mother-in-law Dorothy Tousignant entertained at local nightclubs throughout Marquette County. Another of Tom’s passions was Lake Superior history. In the 1980s he took custody of the John Keast Maritime collection of Lake Superior shipwreck artifacts and glass plate negatives. Through the years Tom added rare books and maps to the collection making it an impressive collection of regional history.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lynn and Edna Keast; brother Robert Keast; his uncle John “Jack” Keast; aunt Essie Anderson; and niece Jean Van Tatenhove.

Tom is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Lou Keast of St. Ignatius, MT; two sons, Richard (Erin) Keast of Tigard, OR, and David (Sara) Keast of St. Ignatius; two daughters, Suzie (Rusty) Hunt of St. Ignatius, and Dianne Keast of Missoula, MT and several grandchildren. He also leaves behind a sister Mary (Robert) Donovan of Laconia, NH; a sister-in-law Judy Keast of Petoskey, MI; nephews James Keast of Petoskey, Peter (Carol) Keast of Marquette, Michael and Jerry Donovan of NH; nieces Suzanne (Kenneth) Rabitaille of Marquette, Cathy Keast of Kalamazoo, MI, Mary (Robert) Vanlinden of Petoskey, and Frances (David) Ternes of Petoskey.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 14th at Foster Funeral Home in St. Ignatius, Montana. A family interment of cremains will take place in August. Memorials can be made in Tom’s name to the Fort Connah Historical Restoration Society in St. Ignatius. Fortconnah.com