Passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the age of 73. He was born in St. Louis, on
April 24, 1952.

Son of the late William (Bill) and Virginia Keck (nee Ayers), Stu leaves behind his loving wife of 52 years Susan (Sue) Keck (nee Pierce). He is remembered with love by his sisters, Barbara Rice (nee Keck), (husband John Rice) and Sara Yates (nee Keck) (late husband Chuck). Dear Uncle to Laura, Catherine, Elizabeth, David and Liz. Great Uncle to Kate, Robert, Amelia, Christopher, Aubrey, Ryan, Benjamin, Nicholas, Eva, Olive, and Emily; and Great-Great Uncle to Robert Cooper (RC).

Stu grew up in Webster Groves and Glendale until age 12 when his father was transferred to Niagara Falls, NY. He and his parents lived in Lewiston, NY and attended the Lewiston-Porter school system which supported Lewiston, Youngstown, and Ransomville. This area is located at the uppermost part of Western NY driving north from Niagara Falls with the Niagara River bordering the West side, looking at Canada across the river and Lake Ontario on the northern border. On a clear night, driving down to the Village of Lewiston you can see the Toronto skyline.

Stu met Sue on his first day at school. Stu and Sue were friends who had been in classes, drama club and choir together. Their first
official date was the Christmas Ball senior year. Both graduated in 1970, and Stu returned to St. Louis to attended Saint Louis University and Sue attended the NY State University College at Geneseo, NY. They were married the summer after their junior year (August 11, 1973) and moved to St. Louis. Most of Stu’s professional career was in the food service business starting in the dining halls at Saint Louis University and then moving on to restaurant and bar management. He always loved to cook and helped to open Lucious Boomers on Laclede’s Landing where he helped design the kitchen and develop the menu and recipes. He worked at Del Pietro’s, was a salesman for Farmer Brothers Coffee and even owned a restaurant with two partners (Circa 1900). He also worked for the Orvis Company as the fishing manager and then as a consultant assisting in store openings. Stu worked on and off at Humphrey’s from 1977-2007. He had an enormous love for the outdoors. He loved hunting and fishing; taught fly fishing; taught hunter safety education and played rugby. He was one of the founding members of the St. Louis Hornets Rugby Club. The Keck’s traveled all over the country on their Harleys.

He was immensely proud of his Jesuit education at SLU. “We are confident he is debating Jesuit philosophy with Pope Francis right now making his argument to St. Peter himself.” (nephew-in-law Bob McGonigle) Held season tickets to the St. Louis Symphony, Speaker Series, PSL owners and season ticket holders for the STL Rams, and season tickets to the SLU Billikens basketball games.
Stu never met a stranger, lit up a room and was the life of the party. Everyone was always happy to see him. “Stu had a way of sharing his experiences and stories that made you feel like you were right there.” (nephew-in-law Bob McGonigle) “Stu was bigger than life and such a gift to everyone who knew him.” (friend Lainie G) “Stu had a gift for making everyone laugh and his joy was very
contagious.” (friend Jim T) ”A great soul has left this earthly life and will be deeply missed until we meet again.” (friend John J)

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Missouri Historical Society and/or Forest Park Forever would be appreciated.