ANDERSON, Ind. — Journalism was Patrick Joseph McKeand’s vocation but caring for others was his way of life, friends say.

“He was such an outstanding person,” former teacher and friend Frank Woschitz said. “You only had to know him a few minutes to figure that out.”

Woschitz was a journalism professor at Anderson High School when McKeand signed up for a yearbook class. Woschitz said it took little time to realize he would be the yearbook editor for his senior year. McKeand was also named valedictorian.

“He won both honors through his intelligence, charm, confidence and character caring for others,” he said. “Those traits were characteristics he carried with him for the rest of his life. He lived by them.”

McKeand died May 12 in Indianapolis. He was 69.

McKeand’s life was an interesting one, family say. He majored in journalism at Indiana University where he was editor of the daily student newspaper and graduated in the top of his class in 1963. In 1983, he graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from Ball State University.

In 1964, right after his undergraduate work was completed, McKeand joined the U.S. Army as a member of the 25th infantry division and served a tour of duty in Vietnam where he was on the front lines reporting on the war as the officer in charge of the Tropic Lightning News — a weekly publication about the infantry. He also published the “25th Anniversary Book” — about the division’s 25th anniversary.

While serving in Vietnam McKeand was exposed to Agent Orange, which eventually negatively affected his health. He received several awards including the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star Medal and an overseas bar. Before leaving the service, McKeand was promoted to captain.

After his military career, McKeand worked for several newspapers, many of which he was managing editor, including The Anderson Herald. Other perks, his family explained, in his journalism career came with coordinating reporters for coverage of the 1996 Olympic Games and the 1987 Pan American Games.

McKeand’s practical skills in the field were used in the classroom as he began teaching at Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis. He began as a part-time adjunct professor in 1990 and in 1992 became publisher of The Sagamore, the independent student weekly paper at the university.

He joined a team from the university in 1991 to go to Croatia to help establish a free press at Zagreb University, something his sister Jacquelyne Bronkella said he was so proud of doing. McKeand designed and taught the first desktop publishing course at the university and worked with the students day and night to help the students design their campus magazine.

McKeand’s work as a professor and adviser didn’t go unnoticed by the outside world. He received many accolades and awards for both himself and the students he helped prepare. Some of those awards included the paper being named the best student weekly by the Indiana Collegiate Press Association countless times under McKeand, recognition as College Media Adviser’s Distinguished Newspaper Adviser, the Glenn W. Irwin Jr. M.D. Experience Excellence Award, the Sagamore of the Wabash award and IUPUI’s school of journalism recognized him with its Spirit of Philanthropy Award.

Even with those honors, friends saw more than that out of McKeand.

“He was more than just a fellow who gathered awards — he lived for others and cherished friendships and his family,” Woschitz said. “He was a brilliant, caring person, one who wanted to and worked to maintain and nourish friendships for the rest of his life.”

Anderson attorney and longtime friend Jack Scott said McKeand was a dedicated journalist but loved working with students the most. He described him as friendly and loyal.

In addition to his work in the journalism world, Scott joked that his friend was proud of his involvement with the Miss Indiana Pageant as treasurer.

“He was remarkable and a real credit to the community for all he accomplished,” Scott said.

Bronkella laughed when she talked about her brother’s accomplishments.

“He was always the smartest one in the family,” she joked. “He has always been a loving person.”

In researching information for McKeand’s obituary, Bronkella said she learned so much about her brother.

“He didn’t brag about anything,” she said. “I didn’t know three-fourths of the things I learned because he was so modest. I was amazed at everything he did. He was so strong.”

The visitation will be Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon with a full military funeral at noon. The services are at Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Contact Abbey Doyle: 640-4805, abbey.doyle@heraldbulletin.com.