Keith Vaughan of Halifax passed away on April 1st, 2026, at the Halifax Infirmary, aged 82. Born in Poulton-Le-Fylde, GBR, he was the son of Llewellyn Vaughan and Vera Lillian Vaughan (nee Earp). Keith grew up in Liverpool/Bootle, England. He graduated school two years ahead of his cohort and studied chemistry at the University of Manchester, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Technical Science in 1964. He earned his PhD in chemistry from the University of Saint Andrews in 1967. He moved his family to Vancouver to pursue postdoctoral research at Simon Fraser University. In August 1969 he accepted a position as Professor at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. Keith taught organic chemistry for 43 years until his retirement at age 70. Every summer he supervised students in his laboratory. Many students became his honors students and went on to successful careers. He held an NCERC grant for almost all his career. He wrote many scientific publications, was an invited speaker at conferences and had several local and international research collaborations. He served on the Board of Governors and the Academic Senate. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry in London, England, in 1979.

As a teenager in England, Keith was an avid train spotter and traveled the country by himself to see all steam engines, eventually starting to take photos of the engines. Keith was passionate about photography. After he settled in Halifax, he joined the Photographic Guild of Nova Scotia (PGNS), developing his skills and soon participating in competitions. He joined the Canadian Association of Photographic Art (CAPA), Photographic Society of America (PSA) and the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP). He submitted pictures to many competitions, won trophies and medals and was awarded distinctions. Based on his success in competitions, he became the first Grandmaster of PSA. Keith became a well-known photographer on the national and international level and was invited frequently to speak at photography conferences. He wrote numerous articles, particularly for the PSA journal. Keith favoured nature-, landscape- and travel photography, but especially enjoyed sports- photography. He was accredited as photographer at many sports events. He served as the vice- chairman and chairman of the Photojournalism Division of PSA and was named PSA Master-Photojournalist. He also served as president of PGNS, as FIAP Liaison for CAPA and as CAPA Atlantic Zone Director.

Wherever he went, he inspired others to take up photography and improve their skills. Always willing to share his passion and knowledge, he taught photography in the Continuation Education Program at SMU as well as photography workshops. Several students joined the Atlantic Lighthouse Photography Group which Keith had founded, to pursue their passion and hone their photography skills. Keith self-published several books on photography. He also provided photos for several books published by Formac Publishing.

Keith loved nature and joined the Halifax Field Naturalists (HFN) and the Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society (NSWFS) soon after they were founded. He served on the program committee of HFN and worked on the design of the early newsletters. He rarely missed a field trip or a member’s meeting night. He regularly gave slide presentations showing the natural beauty he observed on his travels. Keith loved to travel, choosing photogenic locations.

After his retirement, he joined the Saint Mary's Retirees Association (SMURA). He volunteered his time and served as the program chair, the president and the past -president, and regularly gave presentations sharing his experiences and pictures of his travels.

Keith was athletic and active. He played several sports recreationally and rode his bicycle to work. He particularly enjoyed soccer, which he played in a team during his time in Dundee and Vancouver. In Halifax, he played intermural soccer and coached a youth team. He was a loyal supporter of the Liverpool Football Club all his life and enjoyed watching soccer games on TV no matter which teams played. For a few years he was a member of the Liverpool Supporters Club in Halifax.

Keith loved music and art. His knowledge of classical music helped in his choices of music pieces to accompany his slide shows. In the days since his passing, people shared their memories of Keith’s sharp mind, smile and excellent photography. He was kind, humble, fearless, loyal, happy to help and friendly, freely sharing his knowledge and the beauty he saw.

Keith is survived by his wife of 23 years, Marion Sensen; son, Andrew (Leann) of Victoria; daughter, Joanne of Toronto; their mother, Ruth Hart of Porter’s Lake; his grandchildren, Katherine and Michael Smith of Toronto; as well as his brothers, Bill (Sandra) and Bryn (Sue) and several nieces and nephews in England. He is predeceased by his parents, aunts and uncles.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held on June 28th, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the Saraguay House at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron in Halifax. Words of remembrance will be spoken at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Keith’s memory to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.

Quote: Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen (Robert Bresson, French film director).