Dr. Ted F. Keck

Ted was born August 4, 1919, in Washburn, North Dakota. He was the son of Frederick and Alvena (Schacher)

Keck. He was raised and educated in Washburn. Ted graduated (Class Valedictorian) from Washburn High school in 1937.

He served in the Army during World War II from 1941-1946. Ted was a First Lieutenant who was a commanding officer of a tank destroyer company and also did some intelligence work. He received five campaign stars.

In 1946, he graduated from Minot State Teachers College (now Minot State University). During college, he was a Four-Year Football Letterwinner, Two-Year Track & Field Letterwinner, and the Conference Shot Put Champion (1939 & 1940). In 1947, Ted married Delaree Morley from Velva, N.D. and they had three children. They later divorced in 1977.

In 1948, Ted graduated from the University of Oregon with a Masters Degree. He also graduated from the University of Oregon with a Doctor’s Degree in Physical Education in 1954.

Ted was the Director of Athletics and Physical Education at Minot State Teachers College (now Minot State University) from 1949-1963. He was the Head Football Coach Four Years, Head Wrestling Coach Two Years, and Head Baseball Coach Seven Years. Ted received the Minot State University Athletics Hall of Fame Award in 1986.

Ted was the Director of Athletics and Physical Education at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona from 1963-1970. He was awarded the Northern Arizona University Hall of Fame in 2002. Ted was one of the administrators responsible for getting NAU into the Big Sky Conference in 1970.

Ted was the chairman of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), San Marcos, Texas from 1970-1989. He retired in 1989 and also married Lola Fischer.

Ted was a wonderful family man who taught us so many things and he will be greatly missed. He will also be remembered by his love of exercise, jogging, walking, weight lifting, gardening, and ice cream.

Those who shared in his life:

Wife of 21 years, Lola Keck, Georgetown, Texas; Son, Shannon (Sylvia) Keck, Montgomery, Texas; Daughters, Shawneen Keck, Reno, Nevada; Kathleen (Ardell) Keck-Haugen, Minot ND; Grandson, Bryce Haugen, Minot, ND.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, four brothers, one sister-in -law, two brother-in-laws, one niece, and one nephew.

There will be a family service in Washburn, N.D. at a later date.