Keck Family Genealogy & History

Timothy A. Keck, born in 1967, is a prominent American newspaper publisher and satirist renowned for co-founding the acclaimed satirical newspaper, The Onion. His career highlights include selling The Onion for $19,000 and establishing The Stranger, a free weekly alternative newspaper in Seattle, in 1991. Keck also founded Portland Mercury and managed both publications under Index Newspapers, LLC. Known for his strategic influence in media, he directed strong editorial support for the 2009 Seattle mayoral campaign of Mike McGinn. These roles and achievements have solidified Keck's position as a key figure in alternative journalism and satire.

Tim Keck was born in Indiana to Edward and Janet Keck, both of whom worked as newspaper reporters. His family relocated to Wisconsin during his childhood, where he later attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

William Myron Keck, born on April 27, 1880, was a pioneering American businessman and philanthropist, best known for founding the Superior Oil Company. His groundbreaking work in oil exploration and production included innovations like directional drilling and offshore platforms, making Superior Oil a leading independent oil producer in the U.S. Keck's extraordinary instincts in petroleum prospecting earned him a reputation as the "world's greatest oil prospector." He established the W. M. Keck Foundation and left significant bequests to educational institutions, highlighting his philanthropic legacy.

Charles Keck (1875–1951) was a prominent American sculptor renowned for his architectural sculptures and monuments. His career highlights include being an assistant to Augustus Saint-Gaudens and his involvement in the 1932 Summer Olympics art competition. Keck's works are scattered across the United States, including notable pieces like the Statue of Charles Brantley Aycock in the U.S. Capitol and the Huey Long Memorial in Baton Rouge. His numismatic contributions, such as the 1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition Gold Dollar, further solidified his legacy. An Associate member of the National Academy of Design in 1921, Keck became a full Academician in 1928, reflecting his significant impact on American sculpture.

Donald B. Keck is a renowned American research physicist and engineer known for his pioneering work in developing low-loss optical fiber, which revolutionized telecommunications. A senior research scientist at Corning Incorporated, Keck co-designed the first optical fiber with low enough optical losses for widespread use, earning him a place in the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the National Medal of Technology. Throughout his career, he held prominent roles, including Vice President and Technology Director of Optical Physics, leading advancements in photonics.

Keck was born in Lansing, Michigan, where he was encouraged by his father to pursue physics over electrical engineering. He has two children, Lynne Vaia and Brian Keck, who are also in technological fields.