Samuel J. Keker, who spent decades with U.S. News & World Report as a business-side manager and retired in 1984 as the newsweekly’s chief executive and chairman, died Dec. 15 of pneumonia at his home in Chevy Chase. He was 95.
His son John Keker confirmed the death.
Mr. Keker joined U.S. News & World Report in 1946 as an assistant to the circulation manager. He became vice president and head of circulation in 1965 and was named chief executive and chairman in 1982.
As top executive for two years, he oversaw not just the magazine but also book publishing, newsletter operations and the company’s real estate interests in Washington. When he retired, the magazine reportedly had a circulation of 2.1 million, compared with Time magazine’s 4.7 million and Newsweek’s 3 million.
The son of Greek immigrants, Samuel Jeremiah Keker was born in Pueblo, Colo., on April 4, 1917. He was a 1939 graduate of American University, where he was a vice president of the student body and wrote for the college paper.
During World War II, he served in the Navy and participated in convoy escorts in the Atlantic. He also commanded a minesweeper in the Pacific.
He was called back to active duty during the Korean War and was an executive officer on destroyers. He retired from the Navy Reserve in 1962 at the rank of commander. Please continue @: http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-12-17/local/35886097_1_circulation-manager-executive-officer-chevy-chase
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Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I rise today to mourn the passing of a dear friend, an unflinching patriot, and a proud American, Samuel Keker.
- The son of immigrants, born in Colorado and raised in Detroit, Sam came to our Nation’s capital as a young man, as a student at American University, prepared to give back to our country and contribute to the public debate–first as a leader on campus, later as a trendsetter and a pioneer across the country.
- He was a member of the “greatest generation,” serving in our Navy with dignity and honor in the theaters of the Atlantic and the Pacific. He remained in the Naval Reserve until 1962, even leaving his job in the private sector to return to duty in the Korean War, ultimately retiring at the rank of Commander.
- He began a lifetime of work at U.S. News and World Report as an assistant in 1946 and rose through the ranks the only way he knew how: through hard work and dedication, perseverance and persistence. He would emerge as a critical leader on the business side of the magazine, promoting thoughtful, poignant, and accurate journalism, boosting circulation, and delivering the highest-quality reporting to his readers.
- He would retire at the top of his profession–the Chief Executive and Chairman of his magazine–a fitting conclusion to a long, illustrious, and successful career. He was a person of great wisdom and wit.
Sam Keker’s greatest source of pride was his family–his wife, Lucy; his sons, John and Jerry; his two grandsons, Adam and Nathan; and his five great-grandchildren. His life was blessed, and his legacy will be a blessing for all who knew him. We hope it is a comfort to his entire family, to his friends and loved ones that so many share in their grief at this sad time.
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