Obituary

Keck, Collin James age 22 of Bozeman passed away on September 18th in Auburn, WA in a bicycle accident pedaling to work. Collin graduated from Bozeman HS in 2004. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Gonzaga University in 2008 with a degree in Civil Engineering with Honors. At Gonzaga, Collin was on the President’s List and was a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society. While in college, Collin interned with Barnard Construction of Bozeman. Collin also worked at the Ridge Athletic Center in Bozeman and for the US Forest Service in Livingston. Collin had just begun working at Parametrix in Sumner, WA as a Level 1 Civil Engineer.

Collin’s interests were many, varied and ever growing. He enjoyed years of acting with the Equinox Theater Company. His musical talents included drumming with the Bozeman HS Band, playing piano and guitar, and singing with several choirs. From an a cappella solo in grade school, to singing with the BHS Jazz Choir, the NWACDA Honor Choir, and the BBT Choir at Gonzaga, Collin always shared the music in his heart.

Collin developed a love of the outdoors after some initial coercion from his parents. Some of his favorites were snow boarding, hiking, backpacking, playing soccer, fly fishing, golfing and especially rock climbing with his brother, Russell. Collin would try anything and strove to excel. He enjoyed travel, photography, drawing and so much more.

Collin was hard working and would tackle any project he set his mind to. His senior project at Gonzaga for Engineers Without Borders was a concept design of sustainable orphanages in sub-Saharan Africa. Collin also spent a term at University College of Cork in Ireland where he pioneered new opportunities for engineering students to study abroad.

Collin loved spending time with people. He shared his kindness and joyful spirit with family, friends, children, teachers, mentors, elders, and co-workers. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Collin is survived by his parents, Mary and Tom Keck of Bozeman, brother Russell of Seattle, grandmothers Dorothy Keck of Bozeman and Jane Norris of Bloomington, MN, great uncle Jim and great aunt Pat Tromans of Lord’s Valley, PA and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Preceded in death by great grandmother (Nana) Elsie Tromans, great aunt Willa Norris and grandfathers Harold Keck and William Norris.

Collin’s life will be celebrated with a vigil at Dokken Nelson Funeral Home 113 South Willson Ave on Wednesday September 24th from 4-8 PM, a memorial service at Holy Rosary Church on 220 West Main on Thursday September 25th at 10 AM followed by a gathering at Beall Park on 409 North Bozeman Ave. from 4-8 PM. Private interment at Sunset Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are preferred to The Collin Keck Memorial Fund.