Charles Kean was an energetic and dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Redlands where he held many leadership positions. One of the projects Kean coordinated was the exchange program through Rotary International, which allowed five students from Taiwan to study in Redlands.

Kean’s sudden death in the spring of 2004 brought an awareness to the community of his contributions to many causes. It was his inspiring efforts in life that planted the seed for the Quarters for Kenya Rotary project.

Kean’s devotion to the city of Redlands was not left unnoticed, many of his fellow Rotarians admired his service and had utter respect for his selflessness. Kean has become a role model for many and has exemplified what service to the community truly means.

Now Quarters for Kenya wants to capture the core values and beliefs of Rotary International by dedicating the Flight of the Spirit of Charles Kean. The Flight of the Spirit of Charles Kean is a bold and noble journey, inspired by a bold and noble man. It is a flight of mercy, confronting the largest terror of our times, the pandemic of AIDS. We believe that it is the responsibility of American citizens to step-up on the world stage, to take a stand and to attempt to make a difference.

Charles James Coates Kean was born on March 25, 1942 in Lusaka, Zambia. Kean moved to Kenya and graduated from Duke of York High School. He gave back to the community by serving in the Kenya Regiment after high school. He moved to Dublin, Ireland to obtain his doctorate of veterinary medicine from Dublin University. Kean went on to obtain his second doctorate of philosophy in Bristol University, and was a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the United Kingdom. By 1973, Kean had finished all of his education and wanted to put his degree to work in the United States. His first job was at UCLA Medical Center as a veterinarian researcher where he worked for 12 years.

In 1985 Kean decided to move to the city of Redlands, California to work at Loma Linda University Medical Center as the Director of Animal Care, and as a veterinary medical officer at the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center. His dedication to animal care earned him his appointment to serve on the National Council for the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care.

Kean’s volunteer participation was bountiful in the city of Redlands. He was a participant in many of the boards and committees in the Redlands First United Methodist Church and the YMCA. He did not limit his volunteer work to the city of Redlands, he also worked for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Yucaipa Station as a reserve deputy and unit commander. His most unyielding dedication was to the Rotary Club of Redlands where he held many leadership positions. His wife Susan, his daughter Nicola Brainin, and son Andrew Kean have all supported his volunteerism and dedication to help others.

Flight Team Member Biographies
Photos from the Flight Team
FAQ's from Around the World and AIDS
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