Dr. Carleton Allen Keck

DR. CARLETON ALLEN KECK, 88, died peacefully in the company of family Thursday, Oct. 28, 2004, in Seattle, Wash. He was preceded in death by parents, brothers, and his beloved wife, Betty Gray Keck. Carl was born Feb. 4, 1916, in Sioux City, Iowa. He graduated from Central High School in Evansville, Ind. in 1935; he attended Evansville College from 1935 to 1937, Northwestern University from 1937 to 1938, and received a B.S. in 1940 from Indiana University. In 1943 he also received an M.D. from Indiana University. After medical school, Carl served three years in the United States Navy, including two years in the Pacific on the USS Crockett. He returned to his medical training in 1946, doing a year of post graduate study in Ophthalmology at Tulane University. From 1948 to 1950 he did a residency in Ophthalmology at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary. In early 1943, Carl began his career in Ophthalmology at the Carle Clinic in Champaign, Ill.; and in October of that year he married Betty Ratcliff Gray of Shreveport, La. In 1950, Carl and Betty moved from Illinois to Fort Wayne, where Carl began a private Ophthalmology practice at Duemling Clinic which continued for the next 41 years. Carl and Betty raised their family and lived happily in Fort Wayne until 2002. After spending 16 winters in Florida, they then moved permanently to Johns Island, Fla. Carl was a Diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology, a member of the American and International College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He was a Jubilee Member of the First Presbyterian Church and a member of the Vero Beach Community Church. He was a member of Fort Wayne Country Club and John's Island Club. He was a Mad Anthony and a member of Junto. Carl is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Keck Franklin and her partner, Jennifer Cast, of Seattle, Wash.; his daughter, Jeanne Keck Van Orman and her husband, Jerome Van Orman, of Rochester Hills, Mich.; his son, Carleton Allen Keck Jr. and his wife, Martha Lampe Keck, of Seattle, Wash.; and 10 grandchildren, Robert Franklin, Elizabeth Franklin, Jerome Van Orman III, Theodore Van Orman, Elliot Van Orman, Benjamin Van Orman, Carleton Keck III, John Keck, William Cast and Carter Cast; and six nieces and nephews. Carl was a talented, kind man who thoroughly enjoyed life and was always a delight to be around. He loved his family, his work, and playing golf. He was truly loved and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Evans Scholars Foundation, 1 Briar Road, Golf, IL 60029; or the charity of your choice, in memory of Carleton Keck.