Former Sitka Mayor Dan Keck Dies at 92

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer

Dan Keck, a longtime Sitkan and former mayor, died peacefully in his sleep at his home here Tuesday. He was 92.

Keck was first elected to the Assembly in 1983, and served as mayor from 1989 to 1993.

“Dan and I had some great times together,” said Dave Dapcevich, who served with Keck. “Dan was a very affable guy. He got along great with everybody in the public. He had quite a bit of institutional knowledge because of the time he served.”

Mayor Gary Paxton, who was hired as city administrator when Keck was mayor, said Keck was “a gentleman, wise and soft-spoken.”

“One thing he did, and that good mayors do, is he was accessible,” Paxton said. “Nobody felt any intimidation about talking to Dan. He was a great mayor, a great family man, and a great citizen.”

A full obituary will follow.